Putnam County, FL – A Palm Coast man was arrested Thursday morning after allegedly forcing a deputy’s patrol vehicle into a ditch on Cracker Swamp Road, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say 42-year-old Michael Lee Sloan was driving a silver Toyota Camry at high speed when he veered into the path of an oncoming patrol car, sending the deputy off the roadway to avoid a collision. The incident occurred near the St. Johns–Putnam County line, where both sheriff’s offices had been monitoring reports of an aggressive driver.
According to the sheriff’s office, both Putnam County and St. Johns County deputies had received multiple complaints about a vehicle swerving into oncoming lanes on Cracker Swamp Road. Officers coordinated patrols in the area to prevent injuries.
A St. Johns County deputy reportedly clocked Sloan’s vehicle at 85 mph in a 45 mph zone moments before the near crash. Deputies were able to stop the vehicle shortly after and took Sloan into custody without further incident.
Sloan was charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and cited for speeding and driving too fast for conditions. He was booked into the Putnam County Jail and held on a $150 bond.
Authorities thanked their counterparts in St. Johns County for assisting in the joint operation, emphasizing ongoing efforts to curb reckless driving along rural stretches like Cracker Swamp Road.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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