Imagine trying to escape the scene of a crash while dragging the actual evidence underneath your car. That stop sign wasn't exactly a subtle piece of evidence. By the time these three realized they couldn't pull it free, panic had apparently replaced problem-solving. >> Looks goofy. >> Okay, what color what color shorts? >> It was dragging it for a while and then >> Jean shorts and then what color were the what color were the shirts? >> He said they weren't wearing a shirt. One of them wasn't wearing a shirt. >> Okay, what about the other? What about the other two? >> I think one of them had a red shirt, kind of red orange. One of them both. >> Okay. >> I didn't see him that good but I see that they were they were just dragging and dragging. They finally got out of here. They were just arguing with each other. >> Mhm. >> And then they took off walking. >> Yeah, they realized they were stuck so they took off. >> Okay. >> They were trying their best to get away. >> All right. >> You want to run in for a minute and start heading over there? >> Okay. >> I'm going to head to the apartments. >> So really quick, just give me a brief synopsis. You're out here, you're doing yard work. >> No, I was I'm working on this house in the back and I'm loading tools in my truck. >> Okay, and then >> came out, these guys were over there trying to drag that out. And then one guy was trying to back the car or whatever while someone was dragging on it. >> Okay. >> I saw two guys like he said, one of them was in shorts with no shirt. I didn't pay much attention to the other guy. >> There were three of them. >> But by the time I got done loading my stuff, these guys had split. >> They had split. >> around for like two minutes trying to get it out. That's what I >> Two minutes. >> Obviously, they're trying to get out of here before you guys showed up. >> Okay. >> I'm not even sure who called. I'd imagine these people here probably. >> And they started yelling at each other. >> Mhm. >> Like whoever's fault it was or the dumbass drinking and driving. The other guy was yelling at him cuz you know, they're all going to get in trouble anyway. >> Did you did you hear them say that? >> Nothing about the drinking part but that's an assumption on my part. I can pretty much guess. >> But they were all like were they cursing at each other, yelling, anything? >> I don't know about cursing but just angry, kind of like back and forth, you know. >> Okay, so it was obvious they were in some sort of trouble. >> drag it out and he couldn't get it out. So they're getting angry. They might have been yelling at each other just cuz they couldn't get it. They realized they were stuck so they took off. >> Okay. All right. >> That's and a lot of that's conjecture on my part with far as assuming certain things. I mean >> Okay. But what did you see specifically? >> Same thing he did. >> Same thing he did? Just >> Same thing he did. Two fell. >> Just walk walk a three for me, if you can. >> I saw them where they were dragging it. >> Mhm. >> In the parking lot, they were trying to pull it out of the yellow. So, they got into an argument that they they couldn't pull the pipe out. >> Mhm. >> So, they finally took off walking. By the time we got out again, that's what I saw. >> Okay. All right. Well, listen. Both of y'all, thank you so much for sticking around, too. Um if I have any other questions, I'll make sure to give y'all both a call, okay? >> All right. I appreciate that. >> Thank you. You as well. >> Hello, sir. How are you? >> Good. >> I'm Officer I was with the West Palm Beach Police Department. This is Officer Cameron Irwin. >> Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet you, too. Hey, how's it going? >> So, the reason we're here right now, um the registered owner of a vehicle that came back to this address, I guess what you know it's >> It's Rebecca. >> Rebecca, yeah. >> Rebecca, yeah. Rebecca. It was a black Kia. Someone reported that there was a stop sign. They were driving a car with a stop sign underneath, and they I guess they hit the stop sign, left the scene, and parked the car somewhere, and they found You have a son? >> I do. >> What's his name? >> Chaotique, yeah. >> So, his driver's license was found in the car. The car was open. The dark the car door was unlocked. >> Okay. >> And so, we assume he was driving. Um obviously, if you and your wife are home, I mean, I'm not too sure if your wife's home, but >> She's my wife. >> Yeah, so we assume Is he the only other one with access to your vehicle? >> No, I have another son, but he's at home. >> Okay. All right. So, what we're doing right We're just trying to figure out where he's at, cuz you know. >> So, it's going to be damaged property. Obviously, we just want to make sure, you know, we want to we got a hold of him. I'm sure he'll probably scared, you know, like didn't know what to do or anything like that. Um and then he probably just parked the vehicle and then just left. So, obviously, we came here to contact you and your wife, assuming that was the one that was driving because we had a witness saying that three boys exited the vehicle >> Okay. >> and took off. >> Where was this at, sir? >> Uh, it was right there uh, 19th and Flagler. But the vehicle was on 20th. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, we're still trying to figure out the stop sign, which stop sign he struck or whoever was driving struck. It could have been one of his friends driving, we don't know. That's what we're trying to figure out. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, >> we're hoping that maybe you guys can give him a call and contact them, tell him to come home, and then that we can figure this thing out. All right. >> Okay. Um, what what where are you guys going to be? In other words, >> Say again? >> Where where are you guys going to be? >> Well, we can hang out here. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> Yeah. >> There's a primary officer doing all the other like doing the whole investigation right now, but we just want to make contact with you guys and see if we can locate him, get him here maybe, and see what we can do from there. >> Okay. >> Maybe just mainly figure out where it was where the stop sign was hit so we can get a new stop sign cuz it's a dangerous thing like not having a stop sign somewhere. >> for sure. Okay, let me let me let me see if I can get in touch with him. I haven't talked to him >> Okay. >> pretty much all day, so >> All right. >> All right. Uh, I'll I'll get back with you. >> Yeah, we can just we'll stand over here if you want, whatever you prefer. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Uh, >> And do you mind Do you mind just uh, providing your identification too just so >> Uh, yeah, can I bring it back down to you? So, pretty much what you said, uh, he tried to negotiate a turn too quickly and hit it. Uh, I I don't off the top of my head know where 19th and Flagler is, but I know that he's over at friend Brooke Palasier's house, and it was a case of like, yeah, they got nervous and didn't know what to do, so >> Okay. >> Uh, that's currently where at. >> All right. >> Do you know where that is? >> I do. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Uh you know where that is? >> And I can't tell you his address. I know where it is, though. >> You dropped a pin on it? Can you locate where it is satellite? Can you judge what house it is? >> Yeah, I'd like to ride over there as well, if that's okay. >> I want to go there, too. >> You can stay seated for me, ma'am. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Nice to see you again. >> Yeah, I'm Officer Flores, Key West Police Department. >> All right. What's your name again? >> Jacob Ferguson. >> All right, Mr. Ferguson. So, can you tell me what happened? >> Absolutely. So, we took the left at the triangle and he got in the left lane headed towards Flagler. >> Mhm. >> We started to go a little fast and he tried to get over, couldn't quite get over >> Mhm. >> and we took the median. >> Uh do me a favor. Come over here for >> Absolutely. >> Just on this side right here. >> We're just going to go over here under the tree. Okay. Y'all were in the left lane, started to go a little fast. What's going on after that? >> Definitely we're speeding and he tried to get over >> About how fast do you think you were going if you could see the speedometer? >> Probably close to 40. >> Okay. >> Maybe 45. >> Okay. >> And he attempted to get over in front of the car that was turning >> Mhm. >> and car had took the right turn. >> Mhm. >> Tried to get over, couldn't quite get over. >> Mhm. >> Didn't want to hit the car, avoided the collision and took the sign off the median. >> Mhm. >> And then pulled, we probably went two blocks down Flagler. >> Mhm. >> And then he took a right and he was freaking out, didn't know what to do. >> Okay. >> And so we pulled off to the side and we left. >> And you left? >> Yes, ma'am. >> You didn't try to pull the tire the sign out of the car? >> We attempted We attempted to pull it from under the car and >> Okay. >> it was too hot, too heavy. It wasn't going to happen. >> Too hot, too heavy, what do you mean? Like >> Like the the sign was hot. >> Like temperature? >> Yeah, yeah, it was hot. >> Okay, was it temperature hot cuz it was out in the sun all day? Was a complete Yeah, okay. Where were you guys coming from? >> Uh we were coming from Big Kahuna. >> Okay. What were you guys doing out at Big Kahuna? >> Uh we had left We were playing coed softball earlier. >> Mhm. >> We lost. And so we went up to a friend's house and we were coming back down. >> Okay. Okay. What is home for you? >> My home is 2401 Linda Avenue. >> Linda Ave, okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Where were you sitting in the vehicle? >> I was sitting in the passenger seat. >> Okay. Which passenger seat? Passenger or passenger seat? >> passenger. >> Front passenger, so you saw everything. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So who all was in the car? >> It was me, Teek, and Harvey. >> And who was the driver? >> Teek. >> Okay. So any point in time before coming to the complete stop there, did Teek say we need to call the police? >> We didn't exactly Oh, like come to the complete stop after we hit it? >> you hit it, anything like that. Didn't try and contact police. Didn't say no and did you step in at all say we need to contact police? >> I did not. >> Okay. You're honest with me. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. We found things in the car. >> Mhm. >> Was there drinking involved? >> Not that I know of. No, ma'am. >> Not that you know of. What do you mean by that? >> I Not that I know of. Teek was not drinking, not that I know of. >> Not that you know of. >> No. >> Were you drinking? >> I was. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. You were. So was there any alcohol in the vehicle itself? Don't lie to me. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Where was it? >> Uh I believe it might have been my door, actually. The right passenger door. >> Mhm. >> The Surfside I'm Surfside. Might have been mine. >> Okay. About how many drinks did you have? >> Personally, I probably had two, maybe three. >> Two, maybe three? >> Surfside's. Yes, ma'am. >> Did you have them in the vehicle or before you guys got into the vehicle? >> Before we got in the vehicle. >> Okay. And you just had one and you brought it in the vehicle with you? >> shouldn't have done it anyway, but yes, ma'am. >> Okay. What about in those inside the cup holders? There was a Coors Light in the uh your drink. >> yes, ma'am. Those are from the softball game. Those were not me. >> Those were not you? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. Do you know if there's alcohol in them? >> Not that I He didn't Teek, the driver, did not play on our team. Me and Harvey played on um a separate team than him. But >> Okay. >> his team lost shortly after ours. He met us in Stock and then we went up. >> Met it in stock Island? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, so >> This was before >> Before going to >> Yes, yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> I don't have his location. >> Okay, that's fine. >> But I believe he is home. >> You believe he is home? >> Yes, ma'am. >> And he wasn't there at all? At all? >> No, no, ma'am. >> Okay. Okay, you can come back over here. >> But thank you so much. >> Hey, can I speak with you, please? Reason why I'm coming out here. >> Yeah. >> I think you know why. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Your vehicle >> Yes, ma'am. >> Hit a hit a sign. >> Mhm. >> And you guys didn't call the police, you didn't contact anyone. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, so I'll tell you this right now. That's considered a hit and run. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, what it comes to a hit and run is as soon as someone leaves without leaving their information or contacting the police. >> Yes, ma'am. >> You're not entitled to any Miranda rights or anything like that, okay? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right, all right. Now, be honest with me. >> Yeah. >> Okay, did you attempt to contact anyone at all? Did you try to contact your parents? Did you try to contact your brother? Try to contact anyone who could say we need to contact the police. >> Are you talking about after the incident? >> Yeah, after you guys stopped and you tried to pull the pipe the the signage out of the car. >> Oh, yeah, I called my dad. >> You called your dad? >> Yeah. >> What did you tell your dad? >> I said, "Dad, I hit a sign. >> Right. >> I don't know what to do, you know?" >> Okay, what did he say? >> He said, um, he didn't really know too much either and the police were already at at the door to my house. >> Okay. >> You know, so >> That's what you're going to stick with? >> Um Yeah. >> You called your dad and your dad said, "We don't know what to do." He He didn't say stay with the car. >> I called him, but he didn't I wasn't with the car at the time I called him. >> Okay, I'm saying while you guys are still at the car. >> Mhm. >> Did you contact anyone? >> Here's the key legal issue. Leaving the scene of a property damage crash can carry criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances and local law. And notice what the officer is focused on. Did anyone attempt to contact police or report the crash? Because calling dad for advice is very different from properly reporting what happened. >> Not after you left, not after your dad tried to contact you. >> Mhm. >> While you're still at the car, freshly stopped. >> No. >> You didn't try to contact anyone? >> No. >> Okay. Was there any drinking involved today? >> Not with me, no. >> Not with you? >> Mhm. >> Why was there alcohol found in the vehicle then? >> In the vehicle? >> Mhm. >> Well, my friends were drinking. >> Okay. And you didn't think to say, "No, don't have that in my car." >> Honestly, no. >> No? That's looking bad on you. Because you're the driver. You're responsible for everything in that vehicle. You're responsible for everything that vehicle does. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay? >> Mhm. >> How'd you guys get over here? >> We just then we got picked up. >> You got picked up? >> Mhm. >> By who? >> Uh one of them called the owner of this house here. >> Mhm. >> And they brought us back here. >> Who was the owner of the house? >> The owner, well, it's not the owner, but he lives here. >> Okay, that's different than the owner of the house. >> Yeah, sorry about that, but it would've been Brooks. >> Brooks? So, who called Brooks then? >> Well, I'm not sure, one of them. I was too busy trying to I was just too much going on with the whole thing, you know? >> Well, okay. Your dad's military? >> Uh my dad is a retired Marine. >> Okay. >> And my mom had no service in the military. >> Okay. That's all the questions I had at this time. You're good. Let's go ahead and walk back. Is there anything else you want to tell me before I find out? >> And in the end, this case shows how quickly one bad driving decision can snowball. What started with a turn taken too fast became an abandoned vehicle, conflicting witness accounts, alcohol questions, and even allegations involving false identification. But the final court outcome would look very different from the original list of charges. >> Anything and everything. But I'm going to find out one way or another. >> Okay. I'm not I don't think so. >> You don't think so? Okay, you're good to take a seat. >> After interviewing the driver and his passengers,