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DURHAM — An Orange County sheriff’s deputy is “no longer” on the force following his arrest early Saturday morning on charges of driving while impaired and resisting arrest.
The former deputy, Kevin Umstead, was speeding along Guess Road near Milton Road in Durham County about 3:15 a.m. Saturday as Durham County deputies were standing at another car they had stopped, according to Maj. Ricky Buchanan of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver, later identified as Umstead, nearly hit a Durham deputy as he sped by in his personal car, Buchanan said.
Umstead wrecked his car, a Chevrolet Impala, farther along Guess Road. When deputies arrived, the car had flipped and was on its nose, he said.
Umstead, 24, ran from the scene and Durham deputies chased him on foot along Guess Road and caught up with him.
He was charged with DWI, having an open container after consuming alcohol and resisting a public officer. He was released from the Durham County Jail on Saturday after posting a $1,000 secured bond, according to jail records.
Buchanan said Umstead had cuts and bruises, but otherwise was not injured. He said no deputies were hurt. No one else was in the car, he said.
Orange County Lindy Pendergrass said on Tuesday that Umstead is no longer an Orange County deputy.
“Well, all I can tell you is that he’s a former deputy and he doesn’t work for us anymore,’’ Pendergrass said. He declined further comment.
