Inset: Patrick Voegtly. Background: Voegtly allegedly passed out in his vehicle with unsecured guns at a gas station in Plant City, Florida (Hillsborough County Sheriff”s Office).
Authorities in Florida have taken a man into custody after discovering him unconscious in the driver’s seat of his pickup truck at a gas station. His 5-year-old son was in the backseat, unaccompanied, with unsecured firearms nearby.
Patrick Voegtly, aged 26, faces charges including child neglect, improper exhibition of a firearm, and driving under the influence. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the incident just before 8 p.m. on Thursday at a Shell gas station located in Plant City, approximately 40 miles east of Tampa.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Voegtly passed out inside his truck, which was parked at a gas pump.
The 5-year-old boy reportedly told deputies, “He’s just sleeping,” referring to his father.
Body camera footage captured the moment a deputy noticed a firearm on Voegtly’s hip. The deputy secured the weapon before attempting to rouse the suspect.
“Sir,” the deputy called out. “Sheriff’s Office.”
The deputy noticed another gun under the seat. At this point, Voegtly began waking up.
“How many more guns do you have?” the deputy asked.
Voegtly was ordered out of the vehicle but he allegedly began to resist arrest. The boy is heard crying in the background.
“My son is behind you,” Voegtly said.
“I get that,” the deputy responded. “You have guns on you.”
The suspect is eventually taken into custody. Voegtly allegedly had slurred speech and glassy eyes. His BAC was more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, deputies said.
“This reckless decision could have ended in tragedy,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Driving under the influence is dangerous enough, but doing so with a child in the vehicle while armed shows a complete disregard for the safety of others. Thankfully, deputies intervened before anyone was seriously hurt.”
Deputies arrested Voegtly and took him to the Hillsborough County Jail where he posted bond on Saturday. He does not have a future court date listed.
