Flagler Beach Police Officer Emmett Lutrell made an arrest on an off duty officer over the Thanksgiving holiday. Off Duty Sergeant Christopher M Pearsall was alleged to have been driving his car, crash and then according to the report, stated to police about who was driving. Pearsall stated a friend had driven his car, crashed and then flead the scene.
Pearsall, Who became a sergeant in 2021 was arrested for an alleged drunk driving and crash in Flagler Beach. Report also shows that there possibly should have been an obstruction charge for the potential lie that a friend was driving and crashed the car, then refusing to cooperate with police about the investigation.
Full Narriatve - On 11 /28/2024 at approximately 03:35 AM, I, Officer Luttrell was dispatched to a just occurred crash with injuries in the 2100 block of S Ocean Shore Blvd. Upon my arrival, I observed a single vehicle, a 2011 silver F-150 bearing Florida tag# IAT0L facing northbound on the southbound side of the road, partially impeding the sidewalk. The vehicle had detrimental damage to all four wheels. Evidence pointed to the vehicle jumping the median from the northbound lane and crossing the oncoming southbound lane.
The only person present in the area of the vehicle was walking around it at the time of my arrival. The male was identified as Christopher Pearsall by his Florida driver's license and also listed as the sole registered owner of the vehicle. The keys to the vehicle were found on the drivers seat upon
my arrival.
I read Christopher his Miranda rights, and he agreed to speak with me. As I was speaking with him, Christopher had a strong
odor of what is commonly associated with alcoholic beverages emanating from his breath. He was unstable on his feet, spoke with a thick-tongue, and struggled to answer simple questions.
Christopher's eyes were glassy and watery, and appeared bloodshot.
Officer Scherr conducted the crash investigation, and upon completion, I began a DUI investigation based on the observations listed above. Christopher stated that his "friend" was driving the truck northbound, crashed it, and fled on foot.
The reporting party, William Christy, who heard the crash, stated he observed a large vehicle facing north on the southbound side of the road partially over the sidewalk. When asked several times, he
stated he had not seen anybody else in or near the vehicle. When asked if he had seen anybody walking or running from the crash scene, William advised that he had not. It should be noted that Christopher could not advise the driver's name despite being asked
numerous times. Christopher also could not provide simple details about his friend such as what he was wearing or when exactly they had met. Christopher's story wavered numerous times about howand when he met his friend.
At one point, Christopher mentioned coming from Ormond Beach and traveling northbound with his friend whom he had just met.Christopher was not willing to cooperate with the investigation such as providing answers to simple questions as to what had occurred. Christopher was then asked if he would be willing to partake in field sobriety exercises; he declined and was subsequently placed under arrest for driving under the influence.
Christopher was transported to Advent Health South for medical clearance due to being in a crash before being transported to FCIF.
Christopher was cleared at Advent Health Sout11 . Christopher was then transported to FCIF without incident. Christopher refused to provide a breath sample at FCIF after completing the twenty-minute observation period. The breath test was conducted by Deputy First Class Prevatt of the Flagler
County Sheriff's Office. Let it be known that while in contact the whole time with Christopher, the smell of an alcoholic beverage was emitting from his person. While in the back of my patrol vehicle, the smell continued to remain very strong even with the vehicle windows down. Also let it be known that the smell was
present while at Advent South and in the ln toxilyzer Room at the Inmate Facility. Also let it be known that while responding to the crash scene, no vehicles or pedestrians were seen in the area. It was a clear night with no one seen on A 1 A between Moody Boulevard & the crash scene.
Christopher was issued DUI citation # AJO098E Christopher's truck was towed by John's Towing to their yard in Bunnell Florida.
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