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VIDEO: Deputies pull suspected DUI driver from edge of Sunshine Skyway

Posted at 10:08 AM, Sep 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-16 17:27:04-04

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office released helicopter video on Wednesday of deputies taking a suspected DUI driver into custody from the edge of the Sunshine Skyway earlier this week.

According to a press release, 23-year-old Scott Rapson was arrested early on the morning of Saturday, September 12 after a pursuit.

The sheriff's office says a deputy saw Rapson swerving on SR 64 around 1:48 a.m. and tried to pull him over but he refused to stop.

The sheriff's office says when the deputy tried again a few minutes later, Rapson drove at the deputy at a high rate of speed twice when he got out of his cruiser. The deputy went back to his cruiser and Rapson drove away, the sheriff's office says.

Deputies tried to pull Rapson over again when they located him, but authorities say he again refused to stop and a pursuit started. At that time, Rapson was driving eastbound on SR 64.

Eventually, authorities say Rapson drove northbound on I-75. Stop sticks were deployed and the aviation unit was notified.

Rapson's continued northbound onto the Skyway with two flat or damaged tires and the helicopter picked up the pursuit. Deputies shut down the northbound lane of the interstate.

The sheriff's office says Rapson then stopped at the top of the Skyway, got out of his truck and went partially over the barrier. Helicopter video shows Rapson sitting on the edge with both legs over the side.

Two members of the sheriff's office, a detective and sergeant, approached him and started to talk to him. While they were doing that, another detective was able to move around to the other side of Rapson without him noticing. The footage shows that detective grab Rapson from the edge and pull him back to the road. That was just before 2:30 a.m.

Rapson was taken into custody. He is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, DUI and feeding to elude. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail.