Cabbage palm valiantly risks life to thwart desperate getaway

According to a Gary Detman story appearing on the cbs12 website in Vero Beach, a lone cabbage palm put its life on the line to stop a getaway, assist police, and possibly save a life.

The story, titled 3 lbs. of marijuana seized in traffic stop and crash in Indian River County, describes how Indian River Sheriffs arrested a driver “and seized three pounds of marijuana, other drugs, a gun and cash.” The vehicle had a broken headlight and when the deputy attempted to get the driver to pull over, he sped off instead.

The deputy failed to stop the speeding car — that was left to a lone cabbage palm in the median. The driver stumbled away with a broken nose and cuts to his face. He was taken to a hospital and arrested. No information was provided about the condition of the cabbage palm, which may have lost its life in the process.

Ironically, the palm may have saved the life of the driver, who could have been more seriously injured or killed had he crashed into a live oak, bridge abutment, or other more substantial fixed object.

Condition of the vehicle. Condition of the cabbage palm is not known.