POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A Broward Sheriff's Office deputy who was arrested on drug charges after allegedly leaving the scene of a crash, was hospitalized Wednesday morning under Florida's Baker Act.
According to an arrest report, Deputy Santiago Felipe Mayorga, 22, was involved in a hit-and-run crash Monday in his marked patrol vehicle while exiting Interstate 95 at Copans Road in Pompano Beach.
The other driver, Penny Reynolds, followed the deputy when he fled the scene, authorities said.
"He didn't stop," Reynolds said.
Reynolds called her mother and told her to write down the numbers on the patrol vehicle.
"She told me, 'Well, call 911,' and I said, 'I'm going to, but just write these numbers down,'" Reynolds said.
Mayorga, who has worked for BSO for a year, was later found by internal affairs Sgt. Aledmar Rengifo at a home in Pompano Beach.
Rengifo said he looked through a window and noticed drug paraphernalia and a bag containing marijuana in the living room.
A search of the residence turned up 21 grams of marijuana, 6 grams of Adderall and 10 hits of LSD, which were sitting on top of Mayorga's passport, the report said. Smoking devices were also found throughout the home, authorities said.
Authorities said a marijuana grinder containing marijuana residue was found in the center console of Mayorga's patrol vehicle and a cigarette wrapper containing an unknown chalky substance was found on the passenger seat.
According to the report, after being read his rights, Mayorga said he'd been driving from a friend's house sometime between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. when he exited I-95 at Copans Road. He also admitted to knowledge of the narcotics, authorities said.
Mayorga was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of amphetamine, possession of LSD, possession of drug paraphernalia and leaving the scene of a crash.
Reynolds said her car was scratched and the paint was chipped in the crash.
Mayorga has posted bail, so once he is released from the hospital he is free to go home.
He is currently suspended from the BSO with pay.