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Driver flashes lights to warn others of suspected drunken driver on wrong side of road

By Amber Krycka, Action News Jax
By Amber Krycka, Action News Jax

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — A local man said he followed a suspected drunken driver who was on the wrong side of the road for miles, trying to warn other drivers.

“So I get in the right lane closer to the shoulder of the road, not five seconds later, he came blowing past us,” said Noah Duenas.

Duenas said the driver was coming right at him. He said he slowed down and got into another lane.

“It was so fast it actually shook the car with the speed that he had, “ he said.

Deputies said the man behind the wheel, Jesse Grispino, 37, was driving on U.S. 1 South in St. Augustine around 8:30 p.m.,  on the wrong side of the road. Several drivers who had to slam on their breaks to avoid getting hit, called 911.

“Just about ran us off the road,” said a driver.

Another driver said, “And it’s going to be a horrible accident.”

Duenas said he turned back around and got next to the driver. 
 
"He was upwards to 90-100 miles per hour when we were trying to stay with him, flashing the other drivers," said Duenas.

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For several miles, Duenas said he followed Grispino while flashing his lights, until deputies arrived and were able to perform a pit maneuver. During the entire pursuit, investigators said the deputy had his emergency lights and siren on. But, they said the 37-year-old refused stop. Finally, after about two miles deputies said he pulled over. According to the arrest report, deputies said they could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from Grispino’s breath. Deputies said they found an empty bottle of vodka in the truck, and the driver’s shorts and seat were soiled.

“I hope this is an eye opener for him. I hope that something like this doesn’t happen again,” said Duenas.

Duenas said he knows if he and the other drivers hadn’t been paying attention, it could’ve been a lot worse.

Cox Media Group

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