Drunk Florida man crashes into sheriff patrol car with 2 deputies in it, officials say

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — An inebriated Florida man crashed into two vehicles including a marked sheriff’s patrol car with two deputies in it early Saturday morning, officials said.

Cole Gatlin, 21, was driving at 4:45 a.m. when he hit the back left side of a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s patrol car before hitting a Toyota Sequoia truck, WTVT reported.

Investigators said Gatlin got out of his vehicle showing signs of impairment and was taken into custody. No one was injured in the crash.

Gatlin failed field sobriety tests and his blood-alcohol levels were 0.181 and 0.168, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The legal limit is 0.08.

Gatlin was arrested and charged with driving under the influence with property damage, according to arrest records. He has been released from jail on $500 bond.

“We are beyond grateful our deputies and the driver of the Toyota Sequoia walked away from this accident with no injuries because we all know this could have had a tragic outcome,” Sheriff Chad Chronister told WTVT. “This 21-year-old’s irresponsible behavior will not go unpunished and I sincerely hope he considers himself lucky all those involved, including himself, survived.”

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