A Leesburg man who drove a golf cart into a local restaurant and drove away was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper responded Thursday afternoon to Sully’s Smokehouse, at 10820 CR 44, where witnesses reported that 57-year-old Jon Rudolph Kurkowski was in control of an electric Club Car golf cart in the parking lot when it crashed into the building, causing extensive damage. Kurkowski then reportedly left the scene without reporting the crash or exchanging information with the property owner, according to the FHP report.
Kurkowski, who lives at 125 Millwood Road, was found a short time later west of the crash scene with his disabled cart. The trooper asked Kurkowski why didn’t exchange information with the property owner, and he said he just wanted to get his golf cart home, the report said.
Kurkowski had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, and his eyes were red and glassy. His speech was thick and clear. When the trooper asked Kurkowski to stand up while speaking, he used the seat of the golf cart for support and stood with his feet spread wide. The trooper observed a steady clockwise orbital rotation of Kurkowski’s upper body as he stood and spoke, according to the report.
Kurkowski refused to participate in field sobriety exercises. He was placed under arrest and taken to the Lake County Jail, where he also refused to take a breath test. Kurkowski was released later Thursday on $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on March 9.
