A Howey-in-the-Hills woman suspected of drunk driving was arrested after she was unable to maintain her balance long enough to do sobriety exercises.
Police responded to a call about a reckless driver in a black Nissan Altima near State Road 40 and Mount Pleasant Road around 8:14 p.m. Thursday, according to an arrest report from the Groveland Police Department.
The caller witnessed 39-year-old Emily Ortega speeding and failing to maintain her lane. The witness also stated Ortega pulled into a Sunoco gas station located at 1102 West Broad St., the report said.
Upon arrival at the gas station, an officer spotted the vehicle leaving the parking lot with its headlights off. The vehicle then entered the southbound lane instead of the northbound lane of Mount Pleasant Road to make a right-hand turn onto eastbound State Road 50, the report said.
The officer initiated a traffic stop for this incorrect action, and the vehicle came to stop at SR-50 and Garden Avenue, the report said.
The officer approached the driver’s side window and stated the reason for the stop before asking Ortega for her driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration. While looking for her belongings, Ortega had trouble remembering what the officer requested. She also looked through the same bag several times, the report said.
While looking inside the vehicle, the officer noticed an open green Four Loko container in the center console cup cupholder, the report said. He also noticed Ortega’s eyes were bloodshot, watery and glassy. Her speech was slurred, as well.
The smell of alcoholic beverages emanated from the vehicle as the officer asked Ortega if she had anything to drink that night, the report said. She stated she had about two glasses of wine while at a friend’s house. As they spoke, the officer had to instruct Ortega to put her car in park due to it rolling forwards when she took her foot off the brake.
Ortega was asked if she was willing to conduct some exercises, to which she agreed, the report said. She had to use the steering wheel to assist her as she exited the vehicle. Once she was out, Ortega was clumsy and stumbled as she braced her left hand against her vehicle to stop herself from falling.
Ortega had trouble following the simple instruction of walking to the front of her vehicle and standing there. She swayed and lost her balance multiple times while standing still. The officer noticed an odor of alcoholic beverages coming from her mouth as she spoke. The smell of feces and urine was also coming from Ortega, the report said.
The officer attempted to start the exercises while instructing Ortega to stand with her feet together. She was unable to do so, causing her to lose her balance and almost fall to the ground. Due to this happening multiple times, the exercises were not conducted.
Ortega then advised she was diabetic and took insulin, the report said. Due to this, EMS and the fire department were requested to check her. Once they arrived, they medically cleared Ortega and stated she was not having a diabetic episode.
After she was cleared, Ortega’s vehicle was searched. The officer noticed multiple open containers throughout the vehicle, including an empty Four Loko container on the passenger side floorboard. Multiple empty containers in a black bag were found in the back seat behind the passenger side. All the containers were cold to the touch with condensation in them.
Due to Ortega’s behavior and the containers in her vehicle, she was transported to the Lake County Jail to perform a breath test, which she refused to do.
Ortega was turned over to jail staff without incident and charged with DUI (third offense outside 10 years). She was also issued a citation for driving with no headlights on at night. Her bond was set at $1,000.
