PAGE 3 - June 17, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
High Speed Chase  - Continued from page 1
Citrus Springs Man in Critical Condition
A traffic crash at 2:00 a.m., June 13, on U.S. Hwy. 41 in Dunnellon, resulted in the
area of Hwy. 24, a Levy County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived to an area on S.R. 24, ap-
critical injury of one of the drivers, 21-year-old Joseph Carrigan of Citrus Springs.
proximately 50 yards south of C.R. 337. He pulled his patrol vehicle about 8 feet off the
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Carrigan was driving a 2001 Ford on
road and placed stop sticks on the road. The deputy saw the Mustang traveling toward
U.S. Hwy. 41, south of W. New Lenox Ln., when a 2002 Cadillac, driven by 26-year-old
his location at approximately 80 mph.The report stated that the Mustang crossed onto the
Alphonso Frazier of Dunnellon, pulled out onto U.S. Hwy. 41, heading south from Cross
shoulder of the road, raising a cloud of dust. The driver pulled the Mustang back onto the
St. Carrigan swerved to the left, in an attempt to avoid Frazier’s vehicle, but the right front
road, narrowly missing the patrol vehicle. The deputy reported that he’d been afraid that the
of Carrigan’s Ford struck the left rear of the Cadillac driven by Grazier, causing Carrigan to
Mustang would hit him.
lose control of the vehicle which slid off onto the right shoulder and struck a small wooden
The deputy got back into his patrol car and attempted to catch up in the pursuit of
sign. Carrigan’s Ford continued overturning and ejected him from the car, as he was not
the Mustang, which continued toward Otter Creek at speeds between 110 and in excess of
wearing a seatbelt.
120 mph, until it reached Otter Creek and slowed to make a left turn onto Hwy. 19.
The report stated that the roof of Carrigan’s vehicle struck a large tree, then the car
According to the report, the Mustang pulled up to the rear of other vehicles, swerv-
spun around, clockwise, and came to rest against the tree, facing north. Carrigan came to
ing at the last minute to avoid hitting them, recklessly endangering the lives of other drivers,
rest about 20 feet behind his vehicle. He was transported to Shand’s Hospital in Gainesville.
with little regard for their safety.
Inglis PD Training 2nd K-9, Officer
At the Horse Hole Mud Bog, a few miles north of Inglis, the driver of the Mustang
swerved to avoid stop sticks that had been placed in the road by a deputy. He aimed the
Inglis Police Officer Tim Letson and his canine partner, Elvis, are currently un-
Mustang toward the Levy County deputy who was still placing stop sticks in the road.
dergoing their second of six weeks’ training at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
The pursuit continued toward Inglis at approximately 115 mph, with several law
(HCSO), to be certified in narcotics detection.
enforcement vehicles still following. The chase entered Inglis at approximately 110 mph.
Officers Letson and Elvis will join the efforts of “K-9” (canine) Officer Boston
The Mustang made a sharp turn onto an access road, then turned west onto Highway 40.
and his partner/handler, Investigator John Dowd, a Certified Crime Scene Technician, in the
Pennypacker continued west on Hwy. 40 and turned onto Hwy. 40-A. There, the driver ap-
ongoing fight against drugs in the Inglis area.
peared to, yet again, aim the car toward a patrol vehicle.
Officer Letson’s patrol car has already been equipped with a platform and cage for
The Mustang then turned back onto Hwy. 19, failing to stop at the stop sign, head-
Elvis, and they are traveling back and forth, daily, the 70-mile trip to the HCSO for the train-
ing north in excess of 100 mph. About 6.6 miles north of Inglis, the Mustang stopped when
ing. According to Inglis Police Chief Steve Dixon, the backseat platform/cage was made
it ran out of fuel. Pennypacker quickly got out of the Mustang and placed his hands in the air.
possible by donations, as was Elvis, a German shepherd, who was donated to the police
He was taken into custody and placed in the rear of a Levy County Sheriff’s Office Patrol
department by a private citizen. The narcotics training was also donated to the Inglis Police
vehicle.
Department by the HCSO.
According to the arrest report, Pennypacker was smiling and told the arresting
Chief Dixon and his officers have been undergoing extensive training since he be-
deputy, “This has been fun.” An Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy read Pennypacker
came Police Chief on August 1st (2008), updating the IPD to much higher standards than in
his rights. He said that he understood his rights and wished to speak to deputies. He told
the past. With the ongoing training, the department is “interacting very well” in backup calls
them that he’d run because he was “tipsy.” He said he was aware that he had hit the rescue
to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, said Dixon. “We’re taking one step at a time, to make
vehicle and admitted that he had swerved at deputies, but he said that he had not been trying
Inglis a safer place, so our citizens can enjoy a good quality of life.” Chief Dixon estimates
to hurt them. He said that he’s watched a lot of cop shows. “Maybe that’s why I ran,” he
that the Inglis Police Department has made about 10 to 12 drug arrests in the 10-1/2 months
said.
he’s been with the department.
Pennypacker refused medical attention and was transported to the Levy County
RecentL.Arrests N. Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, was arrested
Jail without further incident. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the hit and run
incident in Alachua County, so that information was not yet available when this issue was
David  Stanley, 29, 9375
printed. Pennypacker was issued citations for running the red lights at S.R. 500 and Hwy. 19
by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, on a citrus County warrant, May 29. He was charged
and also issued a citation for fleeing to elude law enforcement officers. He was also charged
with possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver and the sale of cocaine. His bond
with three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.
Brandy Safwana Smith 33, 588 Hwy. 40 Wewt, Inglis, was arrested by the Levy
! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
County Sheriff’s Office, May 21, on two counts of violation of probation (criminal mischief
New
and trespassing). She was held without bond.
Brandon Martindale, 21, 22863 Rainbow Lakes Blvd., Dunnellon, was arrested at
Sunrise Outpost Kayak Sales & Rentals (352) 447-5655
the Levy County Jail, May 27, on a Levy County warrant for felony petit theft. His bond was
set at $5000.
A Dunnellon man was arrested by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, around 2:14
352-447-5655
a.m., May 29, after an officer who was dispatched to take him to the county line in Williston
Home of Unusually Fine BBQ
at Hwy. 41 South and C.R. 322. learned that that there was an arrest warrant, a writ of at-
tachment, for the passenger, 55-year-old Phillip Collins, out of Citrus County. Collins was
6027 Hwy. 40 W • Yankeetown, Florida
transported to the Levy County Jail. His cash purge was $660.
HOURS: Thursday-Sunday 11:30am - 8:00pm
More Summer Celebration!
A.B.A.
20th
21st
Saturday
A/C & Heating,Inc.
Sunday
18th
Prime Rib
Thursday
All-You-Can-Eat
“Your Electric Bill Reduction Specialists”
Shrimp Boil
• Visa & MasterCard
Grouper
• Commercial
5-8 pm
• 30 Years Experience
Refrigeration
$9.95
• Residential
• Commercial
R&M
Ask Us About
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
• Mobile Homes
Ultra Violet Air Filtering
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
• 100% Financing
Complete Auto Repairs
Removes nearly 100%
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
of germs & dust
Computer Diagnostics
Reduce Sickness & Allergies
Oil Changes While You Wait
4X4 s - RV s - Trucks - Autos
Family Owned & Operated
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
352-447-3040
Accepted
Licensed & Insured
Fax Line 447-6040
License #CACO 57707