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ST. AUGUSTINE - A 39-year-old driver who dragged a deputy following a traffic stop died early Tuesday after other deputies used a stun gun to subdue him, authorities said.
Kevin Kelshaw, a spokesman for the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, said investigators were attempting to determine the events leading up to the death of the man, whose name was not released pending notification of kin.
Kelshaw said deputies stopped a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban about 1:30 a.m. for a broken tail light and noticed a container that looked like it might contain drugs. When a deputy reached into the sport utility vehicle, the driver sped off with the deputy hanging onto it.
Several times, the deputy asked the man to slow down, but the man accelerated. The deputy, whose name has not been released, was able to free himself when the car slowed to make a turn. He was treated for minor injuries.
The driver drove into a woods and fled on foot. When officers caught him, he refused to comply with orders, and they used a stun gun on him. He complained of breathing difficulties and died before rescue workers could get him to Flagler Hospital.
Kelshaw said investigators are trying to determine how many times the man was zapped.