A set of good Samaritans at Florida ceased to aid a deputy who was being assaulted by a defendant in a traffic stop this week, a nearby sheriff stated.
Deputy Zimmerer using the Volusia County Sheriff's Office stopped a black Ford F-150 following the automobile cut across all types of traffic and nearly struck himthe sheriff's office said Wednesday.
The motorist, 41-year-old Frank Padilla Velez, started acting erratically when Zimmerer attempted to talk with himaccording to the sheriff's office. Since the deputy attempts to handcuff himPadilla strikes him in the head with his elbow for a struggle ensues.
Two taxpayers saw the struggle unfolding and jumped from their vehicles to assist the deputy apprehend Padilla, the sheriff's office stated.
Throughout the battle, Zimmerer's body camera cuts but that the sheriff's office said Padilla thrashed on the floor and tried to snack Zimmerer's leg. A Taser was set up but had no impact on Padilla.
Bodycam footage from deputies who came on the scene soon after the altercation started showed Padilla controlled on the floor. Among those taxpayers who helped the deputy had a bloody cut on his brow.
"You struck me, friend. You struck me," the taxpayer could be heard telling Padilla.
Among those taxpayers also corralled Padilla's puppy, which jumped from his truck to shield himand put it securely back in the vehicle, the sheriff's office stated.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood declared that both guys who stopped to assist Zimmerer will get taxpayer's awards in recognition of the activities.
"My admiration and gratitude goes out to those two guys who took actions when they watched a deputy under assault," Chitwood said in a statement.
