Tuesday, September 4, 2012

KEY WEST

Reckless driver without a license clocked at 97 mph

A Key West man is in jail, charged with fleeing from deputies and driving recklessly, after deputies clocked him at 97 mph in a 55-mph zone around 1 a.m. Monday.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Deputy John Gabay was in his patrol car on the southbound shoulder of U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 6 when he saw in his rearview mirror a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle passed, Gabay's radar showed the speed of 97 mph.

When Gabay activated his lights and siren and tried to pull the vehicle over, the suspect, Leo Haney, Jr., 23, extinguished his headlights, sped up and turned left onto 3rd Street on Stock Island, according to a report from sheriff's office spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin.

Deputy Gabay followed the vehicle through several turns and finally into the parking lot of an apartment complex, where Haney jumped out of the vehicle and ran, leaving his girlfriend in the passenger seat, reports state.

Deputy Gabay ran after him and Haney finally put his hands up and stopped. He was handcuffed and taken into custody, where he admitted that he did not have a driver's license. A check of his name revealed that Haney's license had been suspended for five years after Haney was judged to be a habitual traffic offender.

Haney was charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, resisting arrest and operating a vehicle while suspended as a habitual traffic offender. The girlfriend was not charged, and she and Haney repeatedly told deputies that she had nothing to do with the chase and had told Haney several times to stop.

KEY WEST

Local discounts for Womenfest

Anyone with a Monroe County ID is encouraged to show it at Pearl's Key West guest house or the WomanKind offices by noon Thursday in order to receive a discounted ticket for the annual Womenfest event and fundraiser taking place from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Pearl's Key West, 525 United St.

The annual cocktail party and WomanKind fundraiser at Pearl's features entertainment by Beverly McClellan, music by DJ Rae Rae, beer, wine, punch and hearty hors d'oeuvres. All are welcome at the signature event.

Tickets will be $50 at the door, but locals may obtain them for $35 by showing a Florida Keys ID at Pearl's or WomanKind, 1511 Truman Ave. by noon on Thursday.