Pasco deputy suspended after deadly DUI escape

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Pasco County Deputy Ashley Grady will serve a five-day suspension without pay after an internal affairs investigation finds she violated policy.

Grady had DUI suspect Brittany Miles handcuffed in the back of her patrol car back in May.

Investigators say as another deputy questioned Miles, Grady put the rear window down. It was put back up twice. But after a 3rd discussion, they say Grady did not roll that window up again.

Miles was able to get free from the handcuffs, reach through the window and unlock the door. She got back in her truck and raced off. Deputy Grady tried to stop her, but was thrown off the truck onto the street, left bruised and with a broken leg.

"Our mistake here was having the window down, and that's where I think we will learn from it. And we will make sure our deputies realize during these types of investigations make sure you have full custody of your prisoner," said Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Deputies pursued Miles up US 19 and eventually caught up with her but not before they say she ran a red light and crashed into a Spring Hill man on his motorcycle. Henry McCain was killed.

The Sheriff says the high speed chase was justified.

"I will say this.  It always goes back to Brittany Miles. She's the one that decided to jump out of that window. She's the one that decided to get in that vehicle. She's the one that decided to take prescription pills. And she's the one that decided to go down that road recklessly," said Nocco.

An attempt was made to talk to Miles to find out how she escaped. But her attorney refused to allow that interview to take place.