INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 12-year corrections deputy suspected of driving under the influence “drove into trees” while authorities were trying to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle on Memorial Day, reports show.
The 39-year-old corrections officer – identified as Makaro Onesses Henry – initially denied to troopers that he had alcoholic drinks earlier that day, officials said. “I (expletive) up,” the off-duty deputy told highway troopers, reports show.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested Henry on a driving under the influence charge. Henry was released about 9 a.m. Monday from the Indian River County Jail on $1,000 bond.
Highway patrol also served Henry a citation for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Inside the vehicle, a sheriff’s deputy found a nearly empty bottle of cognac and a silver thermos with fruit juice that smelled of alcohol, reports show.
Fellsmere police and Indian River County deputies tried to make a traffic stop about 1 a.m. Monday on a vehicle on U.S. 1, near 4th Street. Law enforcement officials were traveling behind a gray Chevrolet sports utility vehicle when the vehicle made a quick right turn into the McKee Botanical Garden on Vista Gardens Trail.
Police and deputies saw the SUV “drive into trees,” reports show. The vehicle had right front damage and the driver, later identified as Henry, was still sitting in the driver’s seat.
Law enforcement officials removed Henry from the vehicle. Henry identified himself as a deputy with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials requested for FHP troopers to respond to the scene. Henry told troopers he had a couple of mixed drinks prior to the crash.
Henry said he was taking his friend home from a party and that the friend lived off Highland Drive, reports show. It’s unclear if Henry had already dropped the friend off when authorities conducted the traffic stop.
Henry declined to take a breath sample test and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Law enforcement then took Henry to the county jail. Henry has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. June 26, court records show.
Public records exemptions prohibit the release of Henry’s booking photo and address because he is a law enforcement officer.