Pantsless driver says crack cocaine made him flee

MARTIN COUNTY (CBS12) — A reckless driver captured after a short chase in Martin County was not wearing any pants, but he did have a frank explanation as to why he ran from cops.

The Martin County Sheriff's office says Frederick Petrone told deputies after his arrest that "crack cocaine" made him flee.

Investigators say the ordeal began when an off-duty Border Patrol agent saw a reckless driver early Sunday morning and called dispatch to report it.

Deputies pulled Petrone over near a rest area on Interstate 95. He wasn't wearing any pants and he was sweating profusely.

The Sheriff's Office says he took off and lead deputies on a chase. After the third attempt to stop Petrone, deputies say he rammed a deputy's patrol car.

Stop-sticks ultimately brought Petrone's car to a stop. Petrone told deputies he had been smoking crack for a month straight and he had been drinking all day.

He's facing charges of fleeing, aggravated battery and possession of drug paraphernalia.