FHP says motorist used drugs before accident

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2000

Tests released by the Florida Highway Patrol indicate that a Port Richey man charged with DUI Nov. 20 actually was on the drug Ecstasy when, authorities say, his car slammed into another vehicle, then swerved and hit a utility pole.

According to a trooper's report, Michael Josefowitz, 26, of 7720 Hillside Court, Apt. 103, was driving a 1992 Pontiac north on U.S. 41 on Nov. 20 at 4:45 a.m. when the car in front of him slowed to make a left turn. Josefowitz hit the car and his Pontiac kept going north onto the east shoulder of the road, crossed the highway, hit the west shoulder and finally came to rest when it hit the pole, causing several power lines to fall on top of the car.

Josefowitz told the deputy he had not been drinking or taking drugs, but the deputy's report said his eyes were blurry and his speech was "thick-tongued."

He was released from the Land O'Lakes jail on $2,000 bond.

Five teens sought after assault on man, mother

HOLIDAY -- Sheriff's deputies are seeking four teens who they say threatened and assaulted a man on Devonshire Drive Monday in Holiday and a fifth who pushed and threatened the man's disabled mother.

James Mills, 28, told a deputy four juveniles followed him to his home on Devonshire Drive after he asked them to move over on U.S. 19, where they were driving extremely slowly and leaning out of their car windows. According to the deputy's report, the teenagers -- three white teens and a black teen -- followed Mills to his house, got out of their cars, surrounded Mills and tried to start a fight until Mills' friend came outside. The teens then backed off and drove away.

Mills' mother, Joyce Lewis, told a deputy that while her son was dealing with the juveniles, a blond girl approached her and pushed her, then started screaming obscenities at her.

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