Jacobs returns to admin post; felony charge dropped

After three weeks on administrative leave, Shannon Jacobs returned to his post as administrator of the Santa Rosa County Health Department.

The department gave Jacobs the time off after he was arrested for drunk driving about 3:50 p.m. June 20 on J. Earle Bowden Way in Gulf Islands National Seashore.

“At this time I can confirm that he is back from administrative leave while we continue the process of our internal review,”  said Susan Smith, public information officer for the state health department. Smith would not comment on the scope of the department’s investigation.

Jacobs was driving toward Navarre Beach when he struck James Hering of Gulf Breeze head on. Hering’s two young children were passengers in the car.

At the time, Jacobs was charged with misdemeanor charges of DUI and DUI causing property damage and a felony charge of criminal mischief and was cited for failure to drive in a single lane.

For more on this story see the July 16 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.