Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
When deputies call for help at an accident scene, a Homosassa man shows up, only to be arrested.
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 8, 2001
HOMOSASSA -- Tow truck driver Francis E. Ney expected to show up and tow a wrecked car from a crash scene Tuesday. Instead, he wound up in jail. On his 45th birthday, no less.
Citrus County sheriff's Deputy George Phelps said he and another deputy were investigating a crash on County Road 491 and W Noble Street. He said they called for a tow truck when they finished. Ney, of 7650 W Fern St. in Homosassa, showed up for the job. But another deputy told Phelps that Ney didn't have a driver's license and said he was wanted in Pennsylvania.
Phelps then asked Ney for his driver's license, which he said he didn't have with him. Ney also provided a false name.
Phelps asked Ney for his real name, and Ney then gave it, the deputy said. Ney said he was wanted but didn't know why.
Phelps ran a search on Ney and found that his license had been suspended and that there was a warrant for his arrest in Pennsylvania on a charge of recklessly endangering another person in an accident involving death or injury.
Phelps arrested Ney and took him to the Citrus County jail. He was charged with obstructing an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license. His outstanding warrant was passed on to jail personnel.
Ney later posted $1,000 bail and was released, jail officials said.
Deputies called another towing company to clear the accident scene.