Jeep’s Watery Crash Lands Driver Behind Bars

CLEARWATER, FL — A 21-year-old Largo man is in hot water after Clearwater Police say he crashed his vehicle into the water near the Bayside condos off Bayway Boulevard.

The arrest of Ryan T. Jones was announced in the early morning hours of July 31. Police say Jones drove a Jeep Wrangler across the bridge northbound “at a high rate of speed and didn’t negotiate a turn at the north end of the bridge.” As a result, Jones and his Jeep ended up in the water, an email from the police department said.

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While Jones was able to swim safely to shore, the crash caused a bit of a commotion as authorities worked to determine if there were any other people in the Jeep.

The Clearwater Fire & Recuse dive team had to respond to the scene to make sure no one else was trapped in the Jeep. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded to make sure no one was in the water, the email said.

Police say Jones’ blood alcohol content was .222, which is nearly three times Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. Jones was subsequently charged with DUI and careless driving.

Jones was booked into the Pinellas County Jail following his arrest.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office