A routine patrol in Polk County turned chaotic Thursday when deputies say a woman slammed into a marked sheriff's vehicle, nearly ran over a deputy and then took off. Authorities identified the driver as Shaniqua Pelzer, who was later tracked down, taken into custody and given a breath test that deputies say registered a 0.22 blood-alcohol concentration. The deputy involved escaped without serious injury.
Sheriff's Office Statement
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd weighed in on the department's official channels, saying he was "grateful Shaniqua didn't kill or seriously injure our deputy" after the patrol car was hit, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's statement praised deputies for their quick response and noted that the case is still being investigated.
What Local Reporting Shows
According to WTSP, deputies say Pelzer hit the marked patrol vehicle, fled the scene and was later detained and booked into jail. WTSP reported that Sheriff Judd said the woman "blew" a 0.22 on a breath test and noted it was not immediately clear what formal charges had been filed as of Thursday morning.
How High Is A 0.22 BAC
A 0.22 blood-alcohol concentration is close to three times Florida's legal driving limit of 0.08 and typically signals severe impairment. Such a high reading can become an aggravating factor in court, although any eventual penalties will depend on how prosecutors choose to file the case and whether they allege injuries or other enhancements.
Investigation And Next Steps
The Polk County Sheriff's Office says the investigation remains active and that more details will be released as prosecutors review the case and make charging decisions. Booking and charge information is typically posted in Polk County jail records, and reporters say they plan to keep an eye on updates from the agency and WTSP.
