Drunk driver rams deputy's patrol car near Ormond Beach; flees going wrong way

Calvin RobinsonCalvin Robinson, shown here in a jail mug, is charged with trying to ram a deputy's patrol car and driving under the influence. The deputy was not hurt in the Sunday incident near Ormond Beach.

ORMOND BEACH -- When the Volusia County Sheriff's deputy first saw 34-year-old Calvin Robinson early Sunday morning, the man was quietly slumped over in the driver's seat of his car parked by the gas pumps of a truck stop outside the city limits.

That quickly changed, though, when Robinson suddenly struck the deputy with his car, ran into and damaged the gas pumps, rammed the deputy's patrol vehicle and took off the wrong way on the highway.

Deputies tracked Robinson down and after a brief pursuit finally took him into custody. At 4:46 a.m., the deputy arrived at Loves Truck Stop, 1657 N. U.S. 1, after the store manager had called to report a man was in the store who could barely walk straight due to being so intoxicated.

Additionally, Bunnell Police Department officers had recently witnessed Robinson driving recklessly but he had managed to flee from them. The deputy found Robinson's car parked at an angle by the gas pumps.

The driver door was ajar and Robinson was in the driver's seat. The deputy turned on his patrol vehicle's emergency lights, parked in front of Robinson's car and walked over to check on Robinson.

Upon seeing the deputy, Robinson tried to close his door, but the deputy prevented him from doing so and attempted to get Robinson out of the car," Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.

"But Robinson was able to shift the car into reverse and quickly back up, striking the deputy and pinning him against the gas pumps, which were damaged in the collision," Haught said. "Robinson then switched gears and sped forward. He rammed the deputy's patrol car, reversed again and finally drove away."

The deputy didn't suffer any serious injuries, but his patrol vehicle was so damaged that it later had to be towed. Robinson was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of North U.S. 1 when other deputies caught up to him.

The deputy didn't suffer any serious injuries, but his patrol vehicle was so damaged that it later had to be towed. Robinson was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of North U.S. 1 when other deputies caught up to him.

They successfully punctured the fleeing vehicle's tires with stop-sticks, but Robinson kept going. He turned down a few side streets before stopping near the intersection of North Nova Road and Old Kings Road where he was taken into custody.

Deputies noted that Robinson reeked of alcohol, had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, and beer cans were inside the car, Haught said, adding Robinson refused to submit to a DUI breathalyzer.

Additionally, deputies learned that Robinson had four active suspensions on his driver's license, and Robinson admitted to not having a valid driver's license.

Robinson was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer, DUI, driving with a suspended license, criminal mischief and resisting an officer with violence.

While in custody awaiting transport to the VolusiaCounty Branch Jail, Robinson
began complaining of chest pains and was transported by
EVAC to Halifax Hospital. The Sheriff's Office Patrol is making arrangements for a first apperance for Robinson either at the hospital or at the branch jail courtroom.