Man Who Assaulted An FCSO Deputy At Traffic Stop Has Turned Himself In

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Flagler Beach, FL - Update: The man who the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said fled a traffic stop after assaulting an officer Thursday morning has turned himself in. On Thursday night at 5:30 PM, the 32-year-old passenger of the car who ran from police, turned himself in at the Sheriff's Operation Center in Bunnell. He has been identified as Ronnie Ray Smith. At the time, Smith had a warrant out for his arrest from Georgia for a crime he cannot be extradited for. “It’s fortunate that this man turned himself in because we were coming to get him,” says Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. Smith ran from the scene towards SR-100 and was followed on foot by a deputy. Upon catching Smith, the deputy fell to the ground with Smith and hit his knee against the pavement. Smith was able to get away and he ran towards the woods across from a SunTrust Bank. Police began a lockdown at Old Kings Elementary School and Sunshine Academy and set up a search perimeter around the area of Old Kings Road at  9:30 AM. The FCSO, Flagler County Fire Fight helicopter and the FCSO K-9 unit began searching for Smith, but concluded that he had run farther than the search area. The lockdowns were canceled at 9:50 AM. Smith was charged with resisting arrest without violence after he turned himself in.

(Mugshot courtesy Florida.Arrests.org)

Earlier Reporting: According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was assaulted during a traffic stop in Flagler Beach on Thursday morning by a man who then fled the scene. The traffic stop was carried out at 9:13 AM on April 6 near Coconuts Car Wash and the alleged assault happened near the intersection of Old Kings Rd and SR-100. FCSO initiated a search for the car, which officials said must have had several occupants, and nearby Old Kings Elementary was put on a partial lock-down. No weapons were involved in the incident and the suspect has since left the perimeter established by deputies - the search is ongoing. More on this story at FlaglerLive.com. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.