Crime & Safety
Police: Driver Who Punched Rescuer Faces Battery Charge
A Clearwater fire inspector was punched when he reached inside a truck to make sure the ignition was off after an accident, police say.
A Palm Harbor driver faces a battery charge and felony DUI charge, after allegedly punching a fire inspector at the scene of a traffic accident Wednesday, according to Clearwater Police.
(See Myrtle Avenue Closed After Road Rage Incident.)
According to police, Gary Steven Cook, the driver, then tried to speed away, damaging the pavement when a tire on his vehicle, disabled in the traffic crash, burned a hole in the roadway.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
One official with the Clearwater Fire Department said that this is the first time in 20 years of service that he has seen someone accused of striking a firefighter.
Fire Inspector Ron Neuberger was not injured when Cook allegedly punched him, police say. The man was arrested and taken into custody.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to police, both the DUI and battery charges are felonies. Cook has three prior DUI convictions.
Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
