Man flees hit and run, returns on bike

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, an Alabama man fled the scene of an accident, only to be arrested later while attempting to return to the scene. The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident along with Gulf Breeze Police. Upon their arrival to the area of impact along the 800 block of Highway 98, police discovered that the driver of the second vehicle had vanished from the scene. Police tracked the damaged vehicle by fluid and scent trail with the help of a Pensacola Police Department K-9 unit. Just as authorities began to lose the scent of their suspect near the end of McClure Avenue, a man rode by on a mountain bike toward the accident vehicles. Gulf Breeze Police Officer Jay Frydrychowicz asked the white male to stop. The man ignored the officer and continued on his way. The officer repeated himself and the man finally responded, turning is bike in the direction of the officers. Police noticed the tracking K-9 perk to attention as the man approached. The suspect appeared to be drunk as the officers observed his behavior. Police asked the man where he was coming from, and he referred to the BP gas station. Upon realizing that the man was traveling toward the gas station, and not away as he indicated, police asked for his identification. The police matched his name to the truck’s registration, the keys in his pocket to the truck’s ignition, and then placed the man under arrest. Arresting officers asked the man how much he’d had to drink, and the suspect replied he’d consumed four crown and Cokes at the Sandshaker on Pensacola Beach. The suspect had a blood alcohol level of .121, well above the legal limit .08 BAL.