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Michael Anthony Gray
GRAY ARREST REPORT
Efforts to pull over a suspected impaired driver who almost caused several wrecks led to a chase that ended when the suspect ran out of gas and an OCSO K9 apprehended him hiding in the woods.
The incident started before midnight near the intersection of Miracle Strip Parkway and Memorial Drive in Fort Walton Beach when an OCSO deputy spotted a man nearly cause several crashes. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the driver continued driving erratically through town before heading northbound on Beal Parkway and Lewis Turner Boulevard. Bystander traffic was light in most areas and attempts were made to block major intersections. Deputies say the man was swerving and running lights before ultimately running out of gas, driving into the grass median near Highways 85 and 123, and sprinting into nearby woods.
An OCSO K9 called to the scene quickly found the driver about 200 yards from where he abandoned his 2006 GMC Envoy.
He’s been identified as 21-year old Michael Anthony Gray, address unknown. Gray was bitten on the hand by the K9 during the apprehension.
Gray threatened to kill the deputies and the K9 involved in his capture. He also said he builds race cars, and bragged about how he “smoked” law enforcement during the pursuit.
Two hours prior to this incident, Gray had been involved in a disturbance at the Helenback at 114 Amberjack Drive on Okaloosa Island. Gray was trespassed from the business and instructed by an OCSO deputy not to drive due to his level of intoxication. Gray said he was going to walk to a store and wait for a friend to come pick him up.
He’s now charged with Fleeing and Eluding with Disregard for Safety, Resisting Arrest with Violence, Providing a False Identification, and Resisting without Violence.
Additional charges are pending.
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