Early Monday morning, a 73-year-old man led Walton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police Officers on a low-speed vehicle pursuit through DeFuniak Springs.
Just after 2 AM, a Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputy witnessed a maroon GMC pickup truck blow through the red light at the Winn-Dixie plaza on Highway 331 S. After running the red light, the driver continued to drive recklessly despite the deputy turning on his lights and siren.
The driver continued northbound on Highway 331 at a low speed, eventually turning eastbound on Highway 90.
Near S. Norwood Road, the DeFuniak Springs Police Department deployed stop sticks, successfully disabling the truck. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop just west of County Highway 183 North on Highway 90.
Deputies removed the driver, identified as Gary Dale Edwards, 73.
A Busch beer was observed in the vehicle’s cup holder, with an additional crushed can on the floorboard. A cooler containing multiple beers was also located in the bed of the truck. Edwards was additionally found to have a baggie containing a clear, crystal-like substance.
Due to his level of intoxication, Edwards was taken to North Walton Medical Center for evaluation. He was later medically cleared and arrested, transported, and booked into the Walton County Jail.
He is charged with driving under the influence, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing and eluding.
