A Nicaraguan drunk driving suspect was busted with Corona beer on the Florida Turnpike in Lake County.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper on Saturday morning clocked a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 41-year-old Rigoberto Bucardo Gonzalez traveling 80 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone. The trooper followed the pickup truck and noted that the driver had difficulty maintaining his lane. When the trooper made contact with Gonzalez during a traffic stop, he noted that Gonzalez had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath as well as glassy, bloodshot, watery eyes. When the trooper opened the truck’s door to have Gonzalez get out, a Corona Extra beer bottle fell out. The trooper also saw a 12-ounce Corona bottle by his feet. Gonzalez claimed he spoke no English.
A records check revealed that the truck was registered in his name even though he had no driver’s license or ID card other than his photo ID card from Nicaragua. He had been arrested last year for driving without a license in Hillsborough County.
Gonzalez refused to perform standardized field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest. He was transported to the Lake County Jail where he refused to provide a breath sample. He was charged with driving under the influence, no valid license, speed and open container of alcoholic beverage. Bond was set at $3,000.
