Tampabay: Police say teen almost runs over 3 during evacuation drill

GULFPORT -- A Boca Ciega High School student was arrested Tuesday after he nearly ran over a police sergeant, a firefighter and a school official during a bomb-threat evacuation drill, authorities said.

Police officers, sheriff's deputies and fire officials were assisting in the drill.

About 10:20 a.m., as students filed out of school during the drill, a 16-year-old student tried to drive off campus in a Ford pickup. Gulfport police Sgt. Ben Brown intercepted the student and made him park the pickup.

Shortly afterward, the same student tried to leave campus again, driving the pickup onto a sidewalk and grass, nearly running into Sgt. Brown and a firefighter, police said. The youth crashed the pickup on the high school's west lawn, nearly hitting a school official, said Gulfport police Lt. Michael Quill.

The 16-year-old was charged with aggravated assault, reckless driving and resisting arrest without violence. He was taken to the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center.

The Times is not publishing the student's name because of his age.

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright