INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man who claimed he was test-driving his vehicle when the transmission failed was arrested after his vehicle crashed into a fence and he left the scene.
Frederick Dawsey, 20, was driving with a suspended license when he crashed a Jeep Cherokee into a fence in the 6200 block of 37th Street on Wednesday, according to authorities.
Dawsey, of 5800 37th Street, Vero Beach, is being held in the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $26,500 bond.
Authorities say they found the red Jeep Cherokee unattended on Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses reported seeing the crashed vehicle as early as 8:30 a.m., according to the arrest report.
The vehicle’s tags led authorities to Dawsey’s address and confirmed his license was suspended.
Dawsey told authorities he was “test driving” his vehicle when the transmission went out. He claims he got out of the car and pushed it off the road when it hit the wooden fence, according to the arrest affidavit.
Further investigation did not corroborate Dawsey’s story, according to authorities.
He now faces misdemeanor charges that include driving with a suspended driver’s license with knowledge, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, and resisting arrest without violence. He also faces one felony charge for possession of a firearm by a delinquent.