HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – An apparent drunk driver continued drinking even after citizens apprehended him after a crash involving a stolen vehicle in Hollywood.
The incident began Monday morning near 5600 Hollywood Blvd., across from a crime scene where Local 10 News was covering a convenience store beating.
Travis Miller ran a red light and slammed into a television news station van with a reporter and photographer inside.
Hollywood police said Miller, 37, had stolen the 2015 Jeep Compass from a CVS Pharmacy parking lot at Washington Street and U.S. Highway 441.
Citizens who witnessed the crash noticed the man smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words.
Witnesses said Miller walked to a nearby convenience store and removed his bloody shirt before heading inside to buy a new shirt and another alcoholic beverage.
People waiting outside the store noticed that he was attempting to leave the scene, followed him and were able to secure Miller until police arrived.
"My father grabbed him and put him on the ground, and that's when I was in fear of something happening to my father, so I ran over to help out," witness Joseph Cimino said.
While sitting on the pavement, Miller opened his alcoholic beverage and continued to drink.
The visibly angry suspect started using explicit language and became even more belligerent when police began questioning him.
After being placed inside the police vehicle, Miller slammed his head on the divider, causing more injuries.
Miller was arrested on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage and open container of an alcoholic beverage. He also faces a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol pending test results.
Police said Miller was taken to a hospital for medical attention.