A Leesburg man without a driver’s license was charged with DUI after he was pulled over for driving erratically Tuesday night.
Ismael Jimenez Pacheco, 27, who provided an address of 503 Thomas Ave., did not have a valid driver’s license and was identified by his Mexican passport. A records search showed Pacheco has never had a license in Florida.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy was driving on Dixie Avenue near West Berkham Street in Fruitland Park at around 9:45 p.m. when he observed a black Chevrolet SUV having trouble maintaining its lane. The vehicle drove off the right side of the road with both passenger tires going into the grassy shoulder before veering back and then swerving into the oncoming traffic lane, almost striking a northbound vehicle head-on, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Dixie and Thomas avenues in Leesburg. Pacheco had trouble speaking English and another deputy was called to translate. Pacheco’s eyes were watery and glassy, and he was having trouble balancing. He had urinated on himself and there was a strong odor of alcohol emanating from him, the report said.
Pacheco was placed under arrest and taken to the Lake County Jail, where he refused to perform a breath test. He’s being held on $2,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on April 6.