Ralph Hunt

A Lake City man was arrested on drug and battery charges following an early Saturday morning traffic stop, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a SCSO report, on May 4 around 1:30 a.m., Officer Wayne Kelly was traveling south on US 129 in front of I-10 when he observed a gray Nissan travel out of McDonald’s parking lot at a high rate of speed. The driver of the vehicle, Ralph Thomas Hunt, 28, 4669 SW Pinemount Rd., Lake City, drove in front of several oncoming vehicles and impeded the flow of traffic. Hunt’s action also caused the Nissan’s rear tires to spin as the vehicle slid across US 129 into the northbound lanes of travel.

At that time, Kelly activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on I-10, east of mile marker 283. Upon stopping the vehicle, a white female exited the car and ran back to his patrol vehicle, yelling for help. The female was observed to be bloody and her face was swollen. She then immediately stated that Hunt struck her in the face several times while traveling in the vehicle.

Kelly then made contact with Hunt who freely said he just “pushed” her. He was detained at that time.

After being placed under arrest for battery, a search incident revealed a yellow pill in Hunt’s front left pants pocket. Hunt freely told Kelly he purchased the pill from someone for $5 and stated that it was a “narco.” The pill was later identified as a hydrocodene.

Hunt was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, battery (domestic violence), and was issued a citation for his traffic offense.