Deputy Hospitalized For Observation After Arrest

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A Broward Sheriff's Office deputy was taken to the hospital for observation after his arrest in a hit and run case that led investigators to a stash of drugs in his home.

Deputy Santiago Mayorga faces a number of charges including possession of cannabis, LSD, amphetamines and drug paraphernalia. He's also been charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage.

The investigation began when Mayorga, 22, got into an accident on July 4th while he was driving his marked patrol car.  As Mayorga exited northbound I-95 at Copans Road he reportedly sideswiped Penny Reynolds' 2012 Mazda 3 when they both moved from the merge lane into the eastbound right lane.

Reynolds said at first she didn't realize she had been hit by a deputy.

"The next thing I know, I was getting hit from behind and side-swiped," she said. "And the back of the deputy's vehicle hit the front of my car."

She said she continued to follow him and not once did he make an attempt to stop.

Investigators from sheriff's office's Public Corruption Unit and Internal Affairs went to Mayorga's Pompano Beach home where they reportedly "saw – in plain view – drug paraphernalia and a substance believed to be marijuana."

BSO detectives said besides finding drugs in the home, they found a marijuana grinder, a cigarette wrapper with an unknown chalky substance and marijuana residue in his marked car.

Mayorga was suspended with pay and relieved of his badge after being taking into custody Tuesday.

His bond was set at $3,200.