BUNNELL, Fla. — A Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility inmate has died overnight following his DUI arrest after crashing into a building in Palm Coast. Breathalyzer testing indicates that he had a blood alcohol content of more than four times the legal limit.
On Thursday morning, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Corporate Drive North and Palm Coast Parkway in Palm Coast. During the crash investigation, the driver, identified as Vadim Valenteychik, 54, of Palm Coast, told deputies that he drove over the curb into the bushes and struck the building.
While speaking with Valenteychik, deputies could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and, after completing their traffic crash investigation, transitioned to a DUI investigation.
During the DUI investigation, deputies conducted a series of field sobriety exercises but stopped the exercises due to safety concerns after Valenteychik, who was struggling to stand, swayed back and forth and stumbled. Inside the vehicle, deputies located a large beer can on the driver’s seat floorboard.
Valenteychik was arrested for DUI and DUI with property damage. He also received a traffic citation for possession of an open alcohol container. Valenteychik was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance. While at the hospital, two breath tests were administered, with the first resulting in a BAC of 0.325% and the second a 0.340%, both more than four times the legal limit of 0.08%.
After receiving medical clearance more than six hours later, Valenteychik was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was booked and later placed in a single-person cell. Throughout the night, deputies conducted regular checks and shortly after 6 a.m. Friday morning, a detention deputy entered the cell and found Valenteychik unresponsive. Deputies and detention facility medical staff immediately began life saving measures, including the use of an automated external defibrillator while waiting for Flagler County Fire Rescue. FCFR later pronounced Valenteychik deceased.
For complete transparency, Sheriff Rick Staly requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the death. At the conclusion of FDLE’s investigation, FCSO will conduct an internal review to ensure all policies and procedures were followed. In addition, a clinical medical review is being conducted by the jail’s medical provider as required by FCSO’s contract.
“Sadly, it is not uncommon for local jails to house inmates with significant health issues related to illicit drug and alcohol use. Although he was medically cleared by a local hospital, and the exact cause of Mr. Valenteychik’s death is yet to be determined, research has shown that blood alcohol content levels between 0.30% and 0.35% have an extremely high risk of coma or death,” said Court and Detention Services Chief Dan Engert. “Losing a loved one is never easy, especially so unexpectantly. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
In addition to his pending DUI charges, Valenteychik had a history of reckless driving and driving under the influence. He was convicted of DUI in 2015, which resulted in a six-month suspension of his driver’s license.
