Here’s a release you can really sink your teeth into. A dangerous drunk driver was arrested early this morning thanks to some great teamwork by Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and K-9 Titan.

On January 23rd at 2:13 a.m. deputies were made aware of a reckless, intoxicated driver leaving a disturbance in North Stafford. The vehicle was described as a white Jeep and it just happened to make an illegal U-turn in the area of the Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building. Sergeant R.S. Dominguez activated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and accelerated toward Richmond Highway.

The suspect blew through the traffic signal crossing Richmond Highway and continuing eastbound on Courthouse Road. First Sergeant N. Zotos witnessed the Jeep speed through the traffic signal and joined the pursuit. The driver briefly stopped at Hospital Center Boulevard, but as the deputies attempted a high risk stop, the suspect accelerated onto Hospital Center Boulevard back toward Richmond Highway.

The suspect crossed over Richmond Highway disregarding another traffic signal as Sergeant B.U. Demirci and Deputy R.W. Stamm moved in to assist. The pursuit continued to the on ramp for I-95 South and the suspect went through the grassy median to enter the Interstate.

Sergeant S.C. Jett was on a traffic stop conducting field sobriety tests on the right shoulder of I-95 South when he learned the pursuit was headed his way. He quickly moved the intoxicated driver over the guardrail as Deputy T.G. Croson attempted to put out spike strips.

The pursuit flew past the deputies on the shoulder at over 100 miles per hour, as the reckless driver swerved onto the shoulder and struck the vehicle Sergeant Jett had stopped. The Jeep proceeded to slow as a tire disintegrated and deputies took the opportunity to conduct a rolling road block against the guard rail.

The Jeep stopped, but the suspect wasn’t done. He darted out of the passenger side, over the guardrail into the woods. Sergeant B.U. Demirci and K-9 Titan were ready. Like a heat seeking missle, K-9 Titan vaulted the guardrail and attached himself to the suspect’s left arm, resulting in the immediate end of the foot chase. The suspect had bit off more than he could chew when he ran from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was identified as Mike Lazo, 20, of Spotsylvania. Lazo was charged with DUI, eluding, hit and run, assault and battery on law enforcement, obstruction, no driver’s license, and several traffic offenses. He was held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Excellent work by the deputies to get this dangerous drunk driver off the road and protect the intoxicated motorist on the shoulder. Kudos to K-9 Titan for another successful capture.

Do not run from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office!