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Livestreaming Florida driver says he wanted to end his life

Livestreaming Florida driver says he wanted to end his life
Posted at 9:39 AM, Jul 26, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-26 09:41:11-04

A man who broadcast live on Facebook as he sped down a Florida beach while drinking from a whiskey bottle says he had intended to commit suicide.

No one was injured July 20 when police say 27-year-old Ryan Stiles drove over chairs and umbrellas on Clearwater Beach before surrendering at the water's edge.

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In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times at the Pinellas County jail, Stiles said he had been scheduled to meet his public defender about a previous arrest for allegedly drunkenly assaulting a police officer at a motel. But he said he snapped and instead set out for what he called "one last good hurrah."

 

 

 

The five-minute Facebook video shows Stiles repeatedly saying, "We're goin' die tonight."

Facing multiple new charges, including DUI and reckless driving, Stiles said he regretted "that crazy drive on the beach."