No contest plea from deputy in suspected DUI crash

A Volusia County sheriff's deputy who struck a South Daytona patrol car while driving drunk has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge.

John Harvey, 51, hit the cruiser at 2:33 a.m. Aug. 29 on Big Tree Road, and then drove several blocks before pulling over.

When the arresting officer asked Harvey how much he had to drink, Harvey told the officer, "a lot," before refusing to take a field sobriety test.

The police report states that Harvey appeared “very confused.” He also failed to obey commands to exit the vehicle and rolled up the window where an officer stood. Finally, one of the officers escorted Harvey from the vehicle.

He was charged with driving under the influence, refusing to take an alcohol breath test, careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

Harvey pleaded no contest Nov. 12 to a reduced charge of reckless driving. The other charges were dismissed by the State Attorney's Office.

The findings of an internal investigation by the Sheriff's Office are expected to be presented next week. Harvey's Sheriff's Office car was taken away after his arrest, and he was assigned to courthouse security. He is barred from driving any agency vehicle while on duty.

Source/Date: Daytona Beach News-Journal/11-30-09