Wrong-Way Driver In Tampa Charged With Driving Under Influence: Video

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa man has been arrested after the Florida Highway Patrol said he fled from troopers after driving the wrong way on North Albany Avenue in Tampa.

Troopers were notified after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a car at 1:04 Monday that matched the description of the wrong-way vehicle, and the car fled from deputies.

Troopers spotted the car on North Albany Avenue approaching the intersection of North Armenia Avenue, and said there was smoke coming from the car and the front tires were falling off. They said the driver appeared to be driving erratically, indicating impairment.

Troopers attempted a traffic stop using lights and sirens, however, the driver once again tried to flee. So troopers used the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the car. The driver refused to get out of the car so troopers removed him from the car and placed him in handcuffs.

While questioning the driver, troopers said he provided a fake name but troopers verified his identity as Billy Wayne Spencer of Tampa.

The highway patrol said he refused to take a standard field sobriety test or give a breath sample so he was taken to the Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.

While being processed, 19 $20 counterfeit bills were found on Spencer.

He was charged with:

• Resisting an officer without violence
• Giving a false name to law enforcement
• Possession of counterfeit bills
• Driving under the influence
• Refusal to submit to testing
• Felony fleeing to elude.