4 deputies hospitalized after inhaling alleged meth-making chemicals

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A suspected mobile meth lab is being blamed for sickening four Orange County deputies late Thursday night.

Investigators told Channel 9 shortly after the deputies confronted Jeremy Hughes, who was riding a bicycle about 10 p.m. Thursday on Powers Drive and Silver Star Road.

The deputies pulled Hughes over for riding the bicycle without lights and found he had several outstanding warrants.

Deputies attempted to arrest him, but they said Hughes took off and was arrested a short time later.

While looking through his backpack, deputies said they found they found meth-making materials. Those materials made four deputies sick, and hazmat crews had to be called to decontaminate the deputies and scene.

"Mostly respiratory problems, vomiting also -- making sure they were in a safe condition to go to the hospital," one medic told Channel 9.

The deputies were taken to Florida Hospital and are expected to be OK.

"Obviously it's a dangerous situation, and it's one of the dangers deputies face every day," said Ginette Rodriguez of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. "You just never know what you're going to come in contact with."

Authorities said Hughes is facing multiple charges.

WFTV