Sheriff calls subordinate’s actions ‘idiotic’ after he crashes service vehicle at 92 miles per hour
Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff Mike Chitwood did not hold back his emotions when commenting on an incident in which one of his deputies drove a patrol car into a pond. According to the investigation, the officer was not pursuing a suspect nor responding to a call, yet his speed exceeded 90 miles per hour. As a result of the crash, the vehicle, worth approximately $73,000, was completely destroyed. The department is now implementing a new speed tracking system for all employees.
Crash circumstances and leadership reaction
According to the sheriff, the deputy lost control of the service SUV while exiting the highway onto a ramp near Interstate 95, after which the vehicle ended up in the water. Footage from another vehicle’s dashcam captured the moment the patrol car left the road and plunged into a pond. The investigation determined that the speed at the time of the crash was 92 miles per hour, even though there was no emergency. When FOX 35 journalists asked Chitwood what call the officer was rushing to, he replied succinctly:
“None.”
Consequences: People survived, the vehicle did not
Fortunately, neither the deputy nor his K-9 partner sustained serious injuries. However, the patrol car has been officially declared beyond repair. Chitwood was extremely candid when commenting on the incident, emphasizing that the subordinate’s actions could have led to tragedy.
“You caused $73,000 in damages. You could have killed yourself. You could have killed your partner. You could have killed anyone on the road,”
the sheriff stated.
Disciplinary measures and policy changes
Pending the internal investigation, the deputy has been suspended from specialized duties, including assignments in the SWAT and K-9 units. Additional disciplinary actions may follow. Public criticism of the police often focuses on pursuits or emergency responses that end badly. This case stands out because, according to the sheriff himself, there was no emergency situation that would have justified such speed.
Speed tracking: New rules for employees
The crash prompted changes in department policy that may prove more significant than the disciplinary punishment of a single officer. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is developing a reporting system that will regularly monitor deputies’ speed and provide this information to supervisors.
If a deputy is found to have exceeded the speed limit without a lawful reason, they will have to explain their actions. If the explanations are deemed unsatisfactory, disciplinary measures will be applied.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to do this with professionals. But if you don’t act professionally, then I will force you to act professionally,”
Chitwood concluded.
Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using technology to monitor citizens: from automatic license plate readers to connected video surveillance systems. These tools often spark debates about privacy and control. However, tracking the actions of public servants driving taxpayer-funded vehicles on public roads is an entirely different matter.
One of the most common complaints against law enforcement is the perception that some officers behave as if traffic laws exist for everyone but themselves. A system that checks whether deputies are speeding and whether they have a legal basis for doing so can help reinforce the idea that those who enforce the rules are also obligated to follow them.
This incident was not just another accident but also a powerful signal of the need for internal control within police departments. The implementation of a speed tracking system for employees could set a precedent that enhances accountability and trust in law enforcement. After all, requiring those sworn to uphold the law to obey it is a fundamental principle of justice, and this case vividly demonstrates what happens when that principle is ignored.