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A 26-year-old man was arrested after a U-Haul pickup reportedly drove across lawns in Gulf Breeze, Florida, then fled from deputies and struck a patrol vehicle. Three deputies were injured in the September 29, 2026, incident; all were later released from the hospital, according to local reports.
What happened in Gulf Breeze?
Santa Rosa County deputies responded at about 11:22 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to a report of a white U-Haul pickup driving through several lawns on Tibet Drive in Gulf Breeze. Local reports identified the driver as 26-year-old John Charles Newell III. According to the sheriff’s office account reported by WALA/FOX10 and NewsRadio 92.3, deputies contacted Newell, but he got back into the truck and drove away.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Tifft told the Pensacola News Journal: “(Newell) was talking to deputies, and then he jumped back in the truck, one of our sergeants went to grab him to stop him from taking off. He got in the truck, put it in drive and drove off with the deputy.”
How did the pursuit end?
During the pursuit, the U-Haul struck a patrol vehicle near Highway 98 and Kell Road, disabling it and injuring the deputy inside. The truck later lost control on East Bay Boulevard. Newell left it and ran a short distance before deputies detained him, according to local coverage.
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How many deputies were injured?
Three deputies were taken to a local hospital. Initial reporting described them as stable; an October 1 follow-up said all three had been released. Two were expected to remain away from work for an undetermined period. The reports did not provide a later recovery update.
Who was arrested, and what charges were reported?
The Pensacola News Journal reported, citing jail records, that Newell faced charges of aggravated battery, felony fleeing police, resisting an officer, and driving with a suspended license. These are reported charges, not a finding of guilt; the reviewed accounts do not establish a later court disposition.
Rank #2
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- 1/43 scale length: 8.25 inches, width: 2.25 inches, height: 3.25 (to top of container)
What was reported about drugs?
The October 1 account said deputies found three drugs in the vehicle. It identified two as marijuana and methamphetamine; the third was still being tested at the time of publication. The sheriff’s office narcotics detectives were investigating, while the Florida Highway Patrol was handling the crash portion. Reports referenced suspected or believed drug influence, but did not establish impairment through a toxicology result.
Chief Deputy Tifft also said, “If he had stopped and complied, nobody would’ve gotten hurt.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Product size: 5.5*2.2*1.5 inches Weight: 0.35 pounds outer package: exquisite color translucent packing box.
- Material: Die Cast car model, made of zinc alloy and plastic, with plastic parts, rubber tires, detailed interior and exterior decoration.
- Function: the container door can be opened and closed to simulate the underbody.
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Rank #4
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