NewsHound
06-23-2008, 06:40 PM
A man arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Saturday night cut a path of damage through a neighborhood while trying to escape from police.
Pinellas Park police say things started with Clyde Allen Canup driving on the wrong side of the road toward a squad car on 82nd Avenue North, about 7:20 p.m., forcing the officer to veer off the road. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel, police said. The officer turned around and started chasing the truck.
Before the chase ended with the truck hitting a light post and tree, Canup, 39, of Largo, mowed down a stop sign, drove into a yard and hit a portable basketball hoop, police said.
While dragging the basketball hoop, Canup's truck hit a parked car and then a garage, police said. While backing out of the yard, he knocked down a mailbox.
Most of the mayhem happened after the truck turned south of 67th Street into a residential neighborhood near 80th Avenue.
The officer broke off the chase and alerted dispatchers when Canup sped through the neighborhood, police said.
Officers found Canup's 1998 GMC pickup after it hit the pole and tree at 7975 Belcher Road. Witnesses said the truck hit the median and the driver lost control.
Canup was taken to a hospital to treat cuts on his face and other injuries, police said. He refused to allow blood to be drawn, but police said he showed "obvious signs of impairment."
He was being held in Pinellas County Jail, with bail set at $15,150 on charges of driving under the influence, refusing to allow a blood sample and fleeing and attempting to elude police.
Source (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/23/me-police-say-truck-left-shambles/)
Pinellas Park police say things started with Clyde Allen Canup driving on the wrong side of the road toward a squad car on 82nd Avenue North, about 7:20 p.m., forcing the officer to veer off the road. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel, police said. The officer turned around and started chasing the truck.
Before the chase ended with the truck hitting a light post and tree, Canup, 39, of Largo, mowed down a stop sign, drove into a yard and hit a portable basketball hoop, police said.
While dragging the basketball hoop, Canup's truck hit a parked car and then a garage, police said. While backing out of the yard, he knocked down a mailbox.
Most of the mayhem happened after the truck turned south of 67th Street into a residential neighborhood near 80th Avenue.
The officer broke off the chase and alerted dispatchers when Canup sped through the neighborhood, police said.
Officers found Canup's 1998 GMC pickup after it hit the pole and tree at 7975 Belcher Road. Witnesses said the truck hit the median and the driver lost control.
Canup was taken to a hospital to treat cuts on his face and other injuries, police said. He refused to allow blood to be drawn, but police said he showed "obvious signs of impairment."
He was being held in Pinellas County Jail, with bail set at $15,150 on charges of driving under the influence, refusing to allow a blood sample and fleeing and attempting to elude police.
Source (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/23/me-police-say-truck-left-shambles/)