VERO BEACH — A former Indian River County administrator and budget director faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash and resisting arrest after authorities say he hit a parked truck and later tried to avoid deputies serving a warrant.
Joseph A. Baird, 68, of Vero Beach, who served as the county’s budget director and administrator for 12 years before retiring in 2016, is accused in the March 31 hit-and-run on Ocean Drive just south of Banyan Road.
Vero Beach police say Baird was driving a black 2024 Acura SUV when it struck an unattended gray 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck. The crash pushed the truck several feet onto the sidewalk and knocked over a parking sign. Damage to the truck was estimated at $15,000 and to the SUV at $10,000, according to court records.
Witnesses told police Baird left the SUV idling and fled on foot. One witness said Baird mentioned he “couldn’t go to jail” before heading toward a nearby bar. Surveillance video from Bobby’s Restaurant showed Baird leaving unsteadily around 8:37 p.m. after having two drinks. A bartender refused to serve him a third.
Baird did not report the crash to the police. Officers searched for him that night and visited his home twice, but made no contact. A witness later identified Baird from a photo lineup.
A judge approved an arrest warrant on April 16, for leaving the scene of a crash involving unattended property. On April 17, Indian River County sheriff’s deputies went to Baird’s home on Spyglass Lane to serve the warrant.
Deputies say Baird peeked out a window, then hid inside and hung up on phone calls from officers. They had to use breaching tools to enter. Baird apologized after his arrest around 9 p.m., saying he had been calling his attorney and family. Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol, though he was not charged with DUI in this case.
He faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest without violence in addition to the hit-and-run charge.
Baird’s attorney sent an email invoking his constitutional rights on April 9, records show. Baird was taken to the Indian River County jail.
The case highlights a return to public attention for Baird, who previously faced a DUI arrest years ago while in office.