Florida Highway Patrol troopers booked Jeremiah Baxter into the Palm Beach County Jail after a stop on Interstate 95 near Boynton Beach.[1] The arrest report identifies him as 29.[1] A 3-year-old was in the truck as her father allegedly continued driving after troopers activated their lights and sirens.[1] Baxter shouted that his daughter was in the truck, and troopers confirmed the 3-year-old was in a car seat in the rear passenger-side seat.[1] The child’s mother arrived and took custody of her.[1]
Troopers responded after the Lake Worth Regional Communications Center relayed a caller’s report that a black Dodge Ram was swerving, traveling without headlights and being driven by someone who appeared to be drinking and using a phone.[1] A trooper saw the truck traveling north without headlights or taillights and following another vehicle too closely.[1] After the trooper activated the patrol car’s lights and siren, Baxter continued driving at about 40 mph in a 65-mph zone and kept going after a public-address order to stop.[1] A second trooper moved in front of the truck, and Baxter stopped.[1] Troopers allege Baxter refused commands to show his hands and get out of the truck, then resisted as they removed and handcuffed him.[1] Baxter told troopers he had not been drinking and that he delayed stopping because he was on the phone and adjusting a neck pillow around his daughter.[1] The trooper reported a slight odor of alcohol on Baxter’s breath but said there were no other signs of impairment and did not pursue a DUI case.[1] No alcoholic beverages were found in the truck.[1]
During an inventory search, troopers say they found two bags containing a total of 2.7 grams of marijuana in a backpack, along with pre-rolled tips.[1] Field tests were positive for marijuana.[1] He faces four misdemeanor charges: failure to obey a lawful order, resisting an officer without violence, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.[1] He also received a civil traffic citation for driving at night without headlights or taillights.[1]
