By Diane M. Moore
**UPDATE**
BONIFAY – The early morning scene of an accident on Interstate 10 at mile marker 106 was more than emergency responders bargained for.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, David Chester Lovvorn,55, of Old Town, was driving his SUV eastbound when he ran off the roadway on the right side of the road. This action caused the vehicle to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The vehicle came to a final stop along the south shoulder ditch.
Once the vehicle came to rest, FHP states it appears Lovvorn set the vehicle on fire and fled the scene along the wood line of the south shoulder.
While the fire was being extinguished, Bonifay Fire-Rescue Chief Larry Cook, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and FHP conducted a perimeter search looking for the driver of the vehicle. Cook says he saw the man sitting at the fence line.
As Cook approached the man he asked, “Are you okay, do you need help?”
Cook says that is when things went awry.
“I asked the man if he needed help,” said Cook. “He looked at me and said, ‘I will kill you’.”
According to Cook, the man had his hand behind his back and pulled out what he first thought was a gun, but it turned out to be a small handheld tire iron. At that point he took a swing and hit Cook on the knee.
Cook called out for help and saw WCSO and FHP right behind him. When WCSO approached, they ordered Lovvorn to drop the tire iron but instead threw the tire iron where it struck the WCSO deputy on the right upper thigh. The deputy deployed his taser and after a brief struggle Lovvorn was taken into custody and is being charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and fire fighter.
BONIFAY – A vehicle crash on Interstate 10 turned into something other than expected on Tuesday, October 5, for Bonifay Fire-Rescue’s Chief Larry Cook.
BFR was called out to the scene of a crash at mile marker 107, upon arrival the vehicle was fully involved in fire. Cook says there wasn’t anyone inside.
“When we arrived on scene we saw the vehicle but there was no one inside,” said Cook. “I knew that someone had to be around there, so I went on a perimeter search.”
It was then that Cook saw a man sitting at the fence line. As Cook approached the man he asked, “Are you okay? Do you need help?”
Cook says that is when things went awry.
“I asked the man if he needed help,” said Cook. “He looked at me and said, ‘I will kill you’.”
According to Cook, the man had his hand behind his back and pulled out what he first thought was a gun, but it turned out to be a small handheld tire iron. At that point he took a swing and hit Cook on the knee.
Cook called out for help to Florida Highway Patrol and Washington County Sheriff’s Office who were also on scene.
“I turned to call for assistance and they were right there,” said Cook. “They saw what happened and were able to detain the man after a struggle.”
The Holmes County Times Advertiser is following this developing story and will update as information becomes available. Check back for more information.
Staff Report 
Jim Saunders