- April 26, 2024
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A retired Ormond Beach police officer who was drunk driving flashed his badge to Flagler County deputies after he was rear-ended by another vehicle on Sunday, May 5, Flagler County Sheriff's Office reported.
Brenton Hodge, 55, identified himself as a retired OBPD officer while deputies investigated the crash. Deputies noticed Hodge's breath smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slow speech, as well as spotted several beer cans on the floor of his car. When asked if he had been drinking, Hodge said he had "earlier in the day," and requested medical treatment. According to the police report, as Hodge was exiting his car with paramedics, deputies saw Hodge lean over and grab a plastic bag from under the driver's seat, and try to hide it down his pants.
The bag contained several smaller bags of marijuana.
“As a former law enforcement officer, he should be well aware of the dangers of drinking and driving,”
said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly in a press release. “It is disappointing that he thought he could manipulate the situation by showing our deputies his retired badge and trying to stuffing his drugs down his pants. None of his tactics worked. If you drink and drive in Flagler County, you will go to jail. No exceptions, no excuses.”
The report states that Hodge had been trying to make a U-turn at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Seminole Woods Boulevard. He was rear-ended after he switched lanes and into the path of an incoming vehicle.
The driver in the second car involved in the crash was transported to the hospital. Hodge was taken to jail, and is being held on a $3,500 bond for drunk driving and marijuana possession over 20 grams.
