Florida man offers police booze during car chase: 'Don’t know if he was expecting us to just say ‘cheers''

Fox News - Apr 23rd, 2025

A Florida man, Richard Christopher Smith, 39, was arrested after a bizarre incident involving a car chase with Highlands County Sheriff's deputies. The pursuit began after Smith allegedly stole items, including alcoholic beverages, from a convenience store. During the chase, Smith offered a Ketel One vodka spritzer to the deputies from his car window, attempting to calm the situation. The chase concluded at Sebring Regional Airport, where Smith, unfazed by the spike strips that flattened his tires, attempted to flee on foot while smoking a cigarette. He was eventually Tased and arrested.

Smith faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and DUI, with his bond set at $120,000. This incident highlights the peculiar and often unpredictable nature of law enforcement encounters, especially involving individuals under the influence. The story underscores the ongoing challenges police face in apprehending suspects who may not respond to conventional methods, further complicating the dynamics of police pursuits and public safety protocols.

Arrest Dui Richard Christopher Smith Highlands County Sheriff's Office Florida Man Car Chase Vodka Spritzer

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and factual account of an unusual incident involving a police chase and arrest in Florida. It scores well in terms of accuracy, clarity, and readability, benefiting from the use of body camera footage and direct quotes from law enforcement. However, it could improve in balance by including perspectives from the suspect or legal representatives. The story is timely and of moderate public interest, though it lacks the depth to significantly impact public opinion or policy. While engaging due to its unusual nature, the article does not provoke substantial controversy or debate.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the incident involving Richard Christopher Smith, who allegedly stole items from a convenience store and was involved in a car chase with deputies in Florida. The details about the body camera footage showing Smith offering a vodka spritzer to deputies and his subsequent arrest are consistent with the information provided by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. However, the article could benefit from additional verification of Smith's intentions when offering the drink and the precise sequence of events during the chase. The charges listed against Smith, including aggravated assault and DUI, are specific and align with typical legal proceedings for such behavior.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of law enforcement, detailing the actions and statements of the deputies involved in the chase. While it provides a clear account of the events from the authorities' viewpoint, it lacks input from Smith or any legal representation, which could offer a more balanced narrative. The absence of Smith's perspective or any mitigating factors from his side may lead to an imbalanced portrayal of the incident.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and logical structure that makes it easy to follow. The language is straightforward, and the sequence of events is presented in a coherent manner. The use of direct quotes from the sheriff's office adds to the clarity, providing readers with a vivid account of the incident. The tone remains neutral, focusing on factual reporting rather than sensationalism.

Source quality

The primary source of the article is the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, which is a credible and authoritative source for the incident described. The use of body camera footage as evidence enhances the reliability of the account. However, the article does not reference any independent witnesses or third-party experts, which could further corroborate the events and provide additional context.

Transparency

The article is transparent in citing the Highlands County Sheriff's Office as its primary source and mentions the availability of body camera footage. However, it lacks a detailed explanation of the methodology used to gather information beyond the sheriff's office. There is no discussion of any potential conflicts of interest or biases in the reporting, which could affect the story's impartiality.