NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2008
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
  (850) 651-7420

DEPUTY INJURED IN CRASH CAUSED BY DRUNK DRIVER


Scott Allen Brace

    An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy responding to a call was forced off State Road 85 south of Crestview around six a.m. Sunday morning by a drunk driver heading northbound in the southbound lanes.

    Corporal Mark Raiche – (pronounced Raysh) had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision with an SUV driven by 33-year old Scott Allen Brace of 2948 Chantry Circle, Crestview. Corporal Raiche suffered multiple injuries after his car left the roadway around the 22 mile marker and flipped four times. He was flown by medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he is currently in stable condition.

    Investigators say a man who witnessed the SUV heading the wrong direction and saw the subsequent accident, was able to get the driver’s license tag number after the man crossed back over the median into the northbound lanes and got in front of him.  Investigators traced the tag number to Brace. He is now charged with DUI, causing a traffic crash with serious injury and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

    Meanwhile, Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris says Raiche is an outstanding deputy, recently promoted to the rank of Corporal because of his dedication and professionalism. Sheriff Morris says the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the agency are with Corporal Raiche and his family as he recovers.     

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