Photo: Evgen_Prozhyrko / iStock / Getty Images
Brevard County - A Virginia man was arrested in Brevard County after allegedly resisting arrest and using pepper spray against a Florida Highway Patrol officer during a traffic stop.
The incident unfolded when authorities discovered suspected drugs and an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
The traffic stop took place near mile marker 168 on Interstate 95 after a white Volvo SUV was seen speeding at 91 mph in a 70 mph zone and weaving between lanes.
The driver, identified as 38-year-old Addison Michael Taylor, appeared impaired, showing signs such as slurred speech, glassy eyes, and a flushed face.
A trooper noticed a plastic bag and what appeared to be a can of alcohol inside the vehicle, which led to further suspicion.
When asked for consent to search the vehicle, Taylor allegedly refused but eventually handed over a prescription bottle.
The officer believed the bottle contained narcotics, and as he attempted to inspect it, Taylor allegedly grabbed both the bottle and the officer’s hand.
The situation escalated when Taylor reportedly struck the officer in the jaw, pushing him toward traffic.
As the trooper struggled to control the situation, he deployed OC (pepper) spray to subdue Taylor, but the spray was deflected back, temporarily blinding the officer.
The officer was left unable to fully regain his vision, further complicating the arrest.
Backup officers arrived shortly after and forcibly removed Taylor from the SUV.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered an open container of Don Julio tequila and cocaine residue.
While the narcotics initially suspected to be in the prescription bottle were not located, the prescribed pills remained.
Taylor later admitted to using marijuana and oxycodone but refused a blood test after being read Florida’s Implied Consent Warning.
Taylor was arrested on multiple felony charges, including possession of cocaine, resisting an officer with violence, battery on an officer, and DUI.
He was taken to Viera Hospital for medical clearance before being booked into custody.
The case remains under investigation.