Frank Clement Jr. crashed his truck against a fire hydrant near the RaceTrac gas station at the corner of State Road 100 and Old Kings Road Thursday afternoon. Clement was drunk. Water gushed out of the hydrant into a ditch, the back wheels of the truck sinking deep into the mud.
It might have ended there had Clement not allegedly attacked a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy, and done so with a ballseyness he will surely regret. He now faces a charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, a first degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. He also faces a drunk driving charge and a charge of resisting arrest with violence, also a felony.
Initially, Clement had just slumped over after crashing into the hydrant. Seeing the crash, a driver passing by stopped to help Clement out of his truck. Clement begged the Samaritan not to call 911, and described himself as “fucked up.” He might also have recalled that he was on probation.
Law enforcement officers were soon on the scene. Clement, 52, a resident of Raemoor Drive in Palm Coast, immediately conceded that he’d been drinking, and repeated to a deputy how sorry he was before crying. Clement’s dog was running around. But then Clement, who was slurring and incoherent, inexplicably approached one of the deputies. The deputy told him to move back. Clement didn’t.
The deputy put a hand on Clement’s torso to push him back, and Clement seemed offended. “Fuck that,” he said. A scuffle took place as deputies took him down and handcuffed him, but not before Clement repeatedly reached or attempted to strike the deputies, according to his arrest report, mixing insults with apologies.
At one point Clement reached for one of the deputies’ crotch and grabbed it, hurling more insults as he “began squeezing and twisting” the deputy’s testicles, causing the deputy “extreme pain.” That’s what resulted in the aggravated battery charge.
At that point the deputy struck Clement in the face three times, causing a gash over Clement’s eye before Clement desisted. The witness who had stopped to help Clement told deputies that “he witnessed the man try to strike” the deputy and “it appeared that the man was going for [the deputy’s] firearm.”
Clement was too drunk to allow for field sobriety exercises. Paramedics tended to him and took him to AdventHealth Palm Coast for treatment: his right hand was bruised and was swelling. He was released a few hours later and booked at the county jail.
Clement had been in an almost identical crash not far from that location–on Seminole Woods Boulevard–only last July. He’d driven his truck into the woods. Deputies similarly found him to be intoxicated. He was arrested on a drunk driving charge and a charge of possessing prescription drugs without a prescription. The felony count was dropped. He was sentenced to six months on probation on the DUI charge–probation he has now violated.
“Getting drunk, driving a vehicle, and crashing is bad enough but then attacking a Deputy Sheriff will only land you in jail with even more charges, including felony charges,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.
“Being drunk makes you do stupid things. This time he gets to sit in jail and think about his actions. Fortunately, our deputy was not seriously hurt defending himself from his attacker.”
John’s Towing towed the pick-up truck, and an animal control officer claimed the dog. Clement is being held at the jail on no bond on the probation violation, and on $30,000 bond on the other charges.
Dennis C Rathsam says
What is this world comming too!!!! Where,s the respect in todays society. So Sad, America is dying, just like me 70 years young when Yogi said The future isnt a bright as it used to be. Life was great in the late 50,s & 60,s kids grew up as kids, family,s went to there house of worship, we had the pledged every morning to the flag of our great country… Patriotism was alive & well. Can U believe how right he was? Seniors remember the good old days? God bless our grandkids we are leaving them a hat full of shit!
JOE D says
Clearly probation isn’t going to work….the community is lucky the drunk driving events only were crashing into property and not other vehicles…hoping the attacked officer is okay.
If he is eventually let out…definitely a candidate for a car/truck ignition breathalyzer interlock….before he kills himself or someone else.
Possibly MANDATORY Alcohol rehab… but unless the person sees the problem themselves, no amount of Alcohol rehab will be effective
TR says
Another way to prove “you can’t fix stupid” Hope he spends the entire 30 yrs in jail. Unfortunately I have a feeling he will be out a lot faster than that. He should also loose his license to drive for ever.
jeffery seib says
From the recent news accounts, it appears we have a lot of angry, belligerent drunks here in our community. Alcohol is legal so if someone wants to have a drink or even half a bottle of whiskey that’s their problem but to get into a vehicle and drive around is another issue altogether. One of the rules we all need to observe is that when or if we are pulled over by the police it’s best to comply with all their instructions. Of course, angry drunks, the worst kind, don’t listen to anyone.
Jane says
Glad he didn’t get a hold of the gun of the deputy. It’d be a totally different outcome.
The dude says
Good news is they all get to carry concealed weapons too now…
Skibum says
Fortunately, this time, this drunk driver only destroyed a light post and fire hydrant, not another innocent person’s life. He continues to show absolute disregard for the safety of others on our roadways, as well as total disregard for the law despite his prior DUIs and being let out of jail on probation. He needs to have his driving privileges revoked and a long stint in prison where he can no longer be a danger to society.
Laurel says
Dennis: As a senior, I do remember the good old days. Blacks were kept in one part of town, and terrified by white men in white sheets. Many were beaten or murdered. They were treated like inferiors. Women had mostly only one choice, and that was to stay at home and be housemaids, cooks, children and parent caretakers. If they did work outside the house, they made a pittance and still had to do the other house chores. If they were unable to stay with their abusive husbands for ten years, they were ineligible for Social Security. They could not use a credit card without their husband’s consent. Women had back alley abortions, and often died. When a women had a medical problem, she was told it was all in her head. Gays were beat up, and sometimes murdered. Gay and trans kids had to hide their true nature all their lives, if they didn’t end their lives first. Many priests were molesting kids and simply moved to a different neighborhood when it became a problem for the church. Church taught us to be God fearing, so as to not to burn in hell, but He loved us (good one George). We got to watch stupid, lying films like “Reefer Madness. Sex education was taboo, so many young girls got pregnant and had to hide for nine months and pretend nothing happened. People often called others “niggers,” “broads,” “chinks,” “wetbacks,” “gooks,” “fags,” “grease balls,” and other such names in “polite society.”
Ah, yes…the good old days.
Mike Rountree says
My wife saw him driving thru Publix parking lot prior to his going west on hwy 100. He was all over 100 driving in both lanes. Take his license for life. Put him on a working prison for long time.
Laurel says
Oh, and Dennis, they drove drunk back then too.
nomorepitbulls says
Dude has got to be going through some SERIOUS regret right about now. He obviously has a severe alcohol problem..violating his probation means jail…he might lose his job…who knows…lucky he did not hurt or kill someone and hopefully this is his wake up call that gets him sober. Probably not buy let’s hope.
FlaglerLocal says
Welcome to summer time when all the nuts come out. On that note, just here to acknowledge that clever headline. That is all
Atwp says
If he were my color, would he be alive today?
bob says
yup, danger, danger, danger
Steve says
What could go wrong?
Heathen Lady says
Probably not. 🙁
Alert says
Absolutely, it didn’t require deadly force.
Sherry says
Such a great retort Laurel!
I will add that not only did people drive drunk in deluded, brainwashed Dennis’ MAGA good old days, there were drive through lanes at liquor stores where you could order a freshly mixed cocktail/wine/beer and have it handed to you while you were still in the driver’s seat. MADD Mothers Against Drunk Drivers was started in the 80’s due to deaths from drunk drivers. MADD was a catalyst for change that has saved many lives.
TR says
Atwp, what the heck are you talking about? What does color have to do with anything? This guy didn’t die, so maybe you should put down your drink. Besides why is there always someone that has to put race into the conversation? I thought we are suppose to be working on getting rid of the divide, but with people like you that keep bringing it up over and over again (especially when it has no merit to the topic) it will never go away. Just saying.
Jim says
I don’t know. What color are you?
It’s not always a race issue. This guy is just a drunk who has no business ever being allowed to drive again. And he should get some jail time for attacking that deputy.
And, by the way, you might at least give the Flagler County Sherriff’s Department some credit. I haven’t seen or heard of any incidents of any member of that department mistreating anyone regardless of race. In fact, this police department is one of the least confrontational departments I’ve seen. I’m not saying they are perfect – they are not – but they deserve a lot of credit for how they do and do not handle situation. You ought to recognize that.
Abuse and murder of black people is a real issue and it does happen all too often. It doesn’t help anyone when you make unfounded inuendo.
Alertone says
Absolutely, why do you ask ?
oldtimer says
And there it is…… the race card. Not even part of this story
Brian says
So Atwp, I assume from your comment that you are black, and believe the myth that white police officers are out to hunt down black men. I guess it’s the George Floyd syndrome. Have you watched the entire George Floyd video? If he would have obeyed the MULTIPLE commands of the first officer who confronted him, he would, like so many before him, going all the way back to Michael Brown, be alive today. He would never have come into contact with Derek Chauvin. For some reason, when contacted by law enforcement, many people choose to resist, defy, fight, challenge, or run. The percentage of black murders commited by law enforcement are less than 1 percent of the total murders, which are overwhelmingly committed by other blacks – about 98% of the total. But the race-baiters like Al Sharpton and loudmouth Ben Crump don’t want to talk about that. Because these murders are just business as usual, unless Whitey is involved.
The dude says
You didn’t say “Chicago”… otherwise you had straight run on MAGA bingo there.
As far as George Floyd goes, had Chauvin simply taken his knee off an incapacitated and handcuffed man and sat him up, he probably would’ve lived. Instead he chose to keep his knee on the man lying facedown and prone for something like 8 minutes, even after he said he couldn’t breathe.
Had Chauvin allowed the man to sit up, he could today be riding the streets, and dishing out the police brutality he was know for.
This whitey agrees with the verdict there. Justice was served.
David Schaefer says
OMG I just don’t know what I would have done if that clown did that to me. Taser,Taser,Taser…..
Brian says
And I agree with the verdict as well. I merely stated that if he (and countless others) would have simply complied with the first officers’ commands, he would still be alive and never encountered Chauvin. And I miss your point on Chicago, where blacks are gunning down blacks on a daily basis. What is “MAGA” about that?
The dude says
As opposed to here where whites are gunning down, well everybody. That’s about as MAGA as it gets.
Had Ashley Babbitt complied, she’d be alive. Had any number of the election denying seditionists who stormed the capital complied, they’d not be in jail. Had the former POTUS complied, he’d not be under indictment… we could go on all day here with this.
Sherry says
@ the dude. . . The MAGA Bingo reference is absolutely “priceless”. . . my laugh of the day!
I hope you won’t mind if I use that MAGA Bingo reference as a response to other MAGA diatribes posted here. . . LOL! Thanks!
nomorepitbulls says
ATWP has a legit point…the dude allegedly was going for the police officer’s gun…plus assaulting officer by grabbing his ‘you know what’s’…..Drunkie is lucky he did not get shot himself…and it is entirely possible if he was black that he could have been blasted into smithereens.
Sherry says
If you have any question at all regarding whether a person of color would have been meted out a much harsher reaction if he dared to assault a police officer, especially in that way, you really are absolutely deluded. Many, many black people have been beaten/tazed/killed by police for much, much less.
Atwp says
White people, especially white men have done wrong for eons when they are caught they don’t know how to act. You white people call it what you like, I believe if it was a person of color he would be dead or in the hospital. White people please stop being blind to this demonic white system we live in. Grow up white people and face the truth about this murderous white system. Just saying.
Feddy65 says
As always he’s race baiting.
The dude says
When dealing with the caricatures that are MAGA, these things just kinda write themselves… but please do feel free to use it far and wide.
Hmmm says
Some people shouldn’t comment on topics they know nothing about. As a “man of color”, I’ve been ripped out of my car and laid face first on the ground with a gun to the back of my head for allegedly following too closely, which i wasnt. Backup arrives rips all the panels off the interior of the car, all while still at gunpoint. Found nothing and left without even a ticket. And i have many stories of my own like this involving white police officers that took a ln oath to serve & protect. Many times i had white friends that couldn’t believe how i was treated differently. Apologize and tell me they had no idea. Heard about it but never actually witnessed it. Pulled over and insisted i was their drug dealer, or had them hostage. Guns trained on me while they were pleading to not shoot me. Im wasnt a thug, didnt look like one, but it didnt matter. Not questioning these officers here, but the race difference is a real thing. If you dont know, you just dont know. So dont act like you do.
Atwp says
Thank you Hmmm. White people don’t know what we as Black People go through. Black men are a target for the white people. Tharp are always asking do we belong in a certain area. Sometimes they will say we don’t belong here. To a white person especially white women we as black men look suspicious, fit the description, they the white women feel uncomfortable. The truth is they don’t belong here they stole the land from the Indians.
Black Eye Special! says
Did anyone look this guy up on Flagler Inmate search? He looks like he want a few rounds with Iron Mike Tyson in his mug shot, Damn, maybe the guy will be able to see out his left eye again next month!