Registered Sex Offender Eats Pavement While Trying to Evade Florida Deputies [WATCH]

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals and recovered a missing juvenile following a traffic stop that escalated into a vehicle apprehension spanning western Flagler County on the morning of Dec. 31, according to authorities.

Deputies initiated the traffic stop on a white Ford F-150 along U.S. Highway 1 near Whiteview Drive after receiving a tip from a caller who reported suspicious activity under a “see something, say something” alert.

When deputies made contact with the vehicle, they identified the driver as Darnell Hairston, 60, of Hastings, and confirmed there were two juvenile passengers inside the truck. Deputies instructed all occupants to exit the vehicle.

While speaking with the three individuals, deputies determined that one of the juveniles had been reported missing in St. Johns County.

Deputies recovered the missing juvenile and placed the child into a patrol vehicle as the investigation continued at the scene.

As deputies worked to gather additional information, Hairston suddenly attempted to flee on foot.

He ran and tripped into the roadway, leading to a brief physical struggle.

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During the altercation, Hairston attempted to grab a deputy’s firearm, authorities said.

Deputies were able to quickly gain control and apprehend him.

Hairston was arrested on charges of resisting an officer with violence and attempting to deprive a law enforcement officer of their firearm.

At the same time deputies were arresting Hairston, the second juvenile passenger, identified as Junior Bishop, 15, of Hastings, entered the Ford F-150 and fled the scene.

Authorities said Bishop nearly struck a deputy who was standing in the roadway as he drove away.

Deputies pursued Bishop southbound on U.S. Highway 1 before the pursuit turned westbound onto State Road 100.

As the vehicle apprehension approached the Putnam County line, a deputy attempted to stop Bishop by passing his vehicle on the left and positioning the patrol car in front of the truck.

Investigators said Bishop then briefly entered the eastbound lane into oncoming traffic before reentering the westbound lane and intentionally ramming the deputy’s patrol vehicle.

The collision caused both vehicles to crash into a wooded area, and Bishop’s truck rolled over.

Bishop exited the vehicle after the crash and was immediately taken into custody by deputies without further incident.

Bishop was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, driving without a license, and resisting an officer without violence.

During the pursuit, a second deputy lost control of his patrol vehicle and struck an automotive repair building in Bunnell.

Authorities said no civilians were injured as a result of that crash.

Two deputies sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Both were transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast, treated, and later released.

Bishop was also evaluated by medical personnel and was determined not to be injured.

Deputies transported Hairston and Bishop to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where they are currently being processed.

Hairston is being held without bond pending his first court appearance.

Bishop will be turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice following booking procedures.

Authorities said Hairston is a registered sexual offender who was released from the Florida Department of Corrections in 2009 after serving a 12-year sentence for three counts of false imprisonment.

According to the sheriff’s office, Hairston has an extensive criminal history that includes prior arrests for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary with assault or battery, cruelty toward wife, disorderly intoxication, lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon a child, property damage, and sexual battery.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly addressed the incident and the ongoing investigation in a public statement.

“This was a very suspicious incident that is still under investigation by our detectives, but I am thankful that nobody was seriously hurt and that we were able to recover a missing child from this pervert’s grasp,” Staly said.

“I also do not understand why a pervert who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2004 was released after only five years in 2009. Clearly, he has not learned anything!”

Investigators said the case remains active, including efforts to determine the nature of the relationship between Hairston, Bishop, and the recovered juvenile.

Detectives are continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.