Troubled Teen Responsible for Intentionally Crashing into Sheriff's Office

BROOKSVILLE – Last night, R News broke the news of a vehicle crashing into the Sheriff's Office located at 18900 Cortez Blvd.

This morning the Hernando County Sheriff's Office released the full details into exactly what transpired prior to the intentional act committed by a teenager.

According to reports, at 10:41 p.m., a Hernando County Sheriff's deputy observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Sheriff Mylander Way without its headlights being activated.

The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the driver of the vehicle in the area of Cortez Boulevard and Horse Lake Road, but when the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver sped off and made a U-turn on Cortez Blvd. The deputy pursued the vehicle but then disengaged after the driver ran a red light. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office does not engage in vehicle pursuits.

After running the vehicle tag, the deputy discovered that it was a rental vehicle. He also determined that the driver was actually a 16-year-old male who had just left New Beginnings Youth Shelter, which is located next to the Sheriff's Office.

Less than an hour later, the driver returned to the area and crashed through a fence that surrounds the Sheriff's Office. He then drove through the parking lot and struck the building, just behind Sheriff Al Nienhuis's personal office. The driver then drove around the to the back and crashed into the rear of the building.

A deputy who was inside the building and heard the collision went outside to investigate and witnessed the driver exit the vehicle. The driver then made a statement about wanting to commit self-harm. As the deputy attempted to take the driver into custody, he proceeded to shove the deputy in the upper body. The deputy took the driver into custody without further incident.

Damage to the building is estimated to be $16,000, according to the Sheriff's Office.