A Leesburg man was arrested for driving under the influence after crashing into a house with an open bottle of alcohol by his side.
Police responded to a crash involving a vehicle striking a residence at 316 S. Fourth St. around 10:01 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
The officer was advised that the driver – 29-year-old Lavonte Demetrice McCook – appeared to be asleep in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Shortly after arriving at the scene, the officer spoke with McCook, who confirmed he had fallen alseep on his way home from a family member’s house, the report said.
While speaking to McCook, the officer noticed he was showing multiple signs of impairment, including bloodshot watery eyes and swaying. The officer’s suspicion deepened when another officer informed him that an unsealed drink that smelled of alcohol was found in the center console of the vehicle, the report said.
Due to these observations, McCook was asked to perform field sobriety exercises. McCook agreed to do so. However, his performance during the exercises led the officers to believe he was driving under the influence, the report said.
Breath tests taken later at the Leesburg PD resulted in readings of 0.182 and 0.176, more than twice the legal limit, the report said.
McCook was placed under arrest and charged with DUI (accident/damage property/minor injury). He was medically cleared at the Leesburg Hospital before being transported to the Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $3,000 bond.
