Man arrested for reckless driving

A 19-year-old Ocean Reef man was arrested Thursday night after he nearly struck a Deputy on the side of the road and sped away.

Brandon Nicholas Brock was charged with reckless driving. He was also cited for speeding and failure to move or slow down for an emergency vehicle.

Upper Keys Edward Swogger was conducting a traffic stop on County Road 905 at 5:19 p.m. when a white, Ford F-150 pickup truck drove by him in the right lane traveling an estimated 55 to 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. The truck failed to move over for an emergency vehicle or slow down and came within a foot of striking Deputy Swogger as it passed. Deputy Swogger was able to view the driver as the truck passed.

Deputy Swogger got in his patrol car and followed the truck, which stopped at the County Road 905 and Card Sound Road three-way intersection. The truck then quickly accelerated. Deputy Swogger estimated the truck was speeding and activated his lights and sirens. Deputy Swogger used radar to get a reading of 85 mph on the truck in 50 mph zone.

Deputy Swogger approached the Ocean Reef gate. People in a golf cart inside Ocean Reef pointed Deputy Swogger in the direction the truck was traveling. Deputy Swogger spotted the truck on South Harbor Drive, where it was parked at a residence. Deputy Swogger got out and noted the truck was emitting a distinct smell after being run hard. The engine and exhaust were also ticking as the truck cooled down. Deputy Swogger knocked on the front door.

A man later identified as Brock answered the door. Brock initially denied driving the truck, but then admitted it after Deputy Swogger stated he was obtaining video footage from the Ocean Reef gate to confirm his belief Brock was the driver. The security footage, indeed, confirmed Brock was the driver.

Brock was taken to jail.

Media note: Brock was not charged with fleeing and eluding as Brock denied seeing Deputy Swogger’s patrol car. The Sheriff’ Office would have been unable to prove Brock saw Deputy Swogger’s patrol car given the distance between Deputy Swogger and the pickup truck.

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