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NEW PORT RICHEY - A deputy was injured in a high-speed chase early Saturday that ended when the fleeing 19-year-old suspect struck the side of a patrol car, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office reported.
Raffeal Chip Hayes was seen heading north on Madison Street in a black Mercury Grand Marquis with no headlights on, the report said.
As Cpl. Ben Barrington Jr. attempted to stop him, Hayes accelerated east on 12th Avenue. With lights and siren, Barrington pursued. Hayes sped through 30-mph zones going 60 mph, running a stop sign and a flashing red light along the way, the report said. As Hayes turned onto Grand Boulevard from Cecelia Drive, he slammed into Sgt. Cary Cosimi's patrol car, the report said.
Cosimi was taken to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point for minor injuries. His patrol car was badly damaged.
Hayes was arrested and found with 7 grams of crack cocaine, the report said. After the arrest, Hayes told deputies that he wanted to stop, but his uncle told him "to push it," the report said. The uncle was not identified in the report. Hayes is being held in the county jail on $15,500 bail.
Hayes, of 312 E Boyer Street in Tarpon Springs, faces charges of aggravated fleeing to elude, possession of crack cocaine and driving with a suspended license. The Florida Highway Patrol is considering additional charges in the crash.