Tampa man granted bond after allegedly ramming Hillsborough deputy to evade traffic stop
TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa man accused of ramming a Hillsborough County deputy with his car to evade a traffic stop was granted bond on Thursday but with some stipulations.
William Lewis Jr., 24, of Tampa, is accused of fleeing a traffic stop on July 5 and striking HCSO Deputy Kalin Hall as he sped off, seriously injuring him.
READ: Driver accused of ramming Hillsborough deputy facing upgraded charge, mother arrested
On Thursday, a judge heard arguments from both the prosecution and the defense in his case and ultimately decided to grant Lewis $50,000 bond for his aggravated battery on a law enforcement charge.
Earlier this week, prosecutors added two new charges for Lewis, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer in the second and third degree.
That bond amount will be added to the $50,000 bond for his other charges in the case. The bond comes with a stipulation, however: should Lewis bond out, he would not be allowed to have contact with his co-defendants, which are his mother, sister, girlfriend, and friend.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez argued that Lewis was a flight risk based on everything he did to evade capture.
William Lewis Jr.
Authorities say it all unfolded just after midnight on July 5 when Deputy Hall was patrolling for HCSO's impaired driver operation over the Fourth of July weekend. He initially pulled over Lewis on suspicion of drunk driving.
According to Sheriff Chad Chronister, Lewis then sped off, trying to evade Hall. Hall soon found him, though, in a New Tampa neighborhood. When Hall exited his vehicle, though, Lewis rammed him with his car while trying to get away.
Hall was left with two broken legs. He was released from the hospital later that morning, and the sheriff's office is hopeful he can get back to work in around four months.
While Deputy Hall was rushed to a hospital, detectives say Lewis ditched his car and called his girlfriend, Keilise Garrison, for help. Investigators said she and Lewis' mom, Stephanie Brown, helped him escape, and Brown supplied him with a pack of cash.
Four days after the incident, law enforcement tracked Lewis to a rental car in Pasco County where he was found with a packed bag and that same bundle of cash.
"He's in a rental car, he's packed his bags, and his mom gave him some money. I'll let the rest of you determine what you think he was doing," Sheriff Chronister said. "He wasn't going to church to donate the money."
Lewis was arrested, as well as his girlfriend and mother.
Prosecutors plan to argue that Lewis is a flight risk and should be held until his trial.