A Leesburg man was arrested for drunk driving after reaching speeds over 100 mph and admitting to consuming Crown Royal and Twisted Tea once he was caught.
Police observed a white 2012 Honda without any lights speeding westbound on US Highway 441 at 11:56 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Tavares Police Department. The driver, later identified as 24-year-old Jeremy James Bobo, was estimated to be going about 90 mph as he passed by the officer. He continued to increase in speed while dodging other traffic in the area.
The officer was able to catch up to the vehicle near Dreamers Arcade, located at 11433 U.S. Hwy. 441, where he estimated Bobo’s speed to be about 105 to 110 mph in a 50-mph zone. The vehicle still did not have headlights on as it switched from the center to the right lane. The officer paced the vehicle at 90 mph approaching the intersection of County Road 473. He then conducted a traffic stop as Bobo pulled into the Walgreens parking lot, the report said.
Bobo and another occupant were informed of the reason for the stop, at which time the officer could smell the strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. Both occupants repeatedly spoke, although they both had heavily slurred and thick-tongued speech while informing the officer they were headed home from McDonald’s, the report said.
As the officer requested Bobo’s identification, he was informed that he did not have his license on him but was the registered owner of the vehicle. The officer also learned that an open can of Twisted Tea sat in the center cup holder. When questioned about this, the passenger quickly admitted it was his, the report said.
The officer proceeded to ask the pair to exit the vehicle and lean against the rear as he continued the investigation. The passenger followed the command, but Bobo had to be told multiple times. He eventually got out slowly and stumbled into the parking lot, the report said.
Bobo subsequently advised he left Wawa, not McDonald’s like he stated earlier, and was headed home. He said he did not know he was traveling as fast as he was. He had bloodshot glassy eyes with the smell of alcohol on his breath as he relayed this information, making him not understandable at times, the report said.
Due to the signs of impairment, Bobo was asked to participate in field sobriety exercises, to which he consented. His balance was poor, and he swayed during walking exercises. He was unable to remember and follow instructions. He also showed body and eyelid tremors, did not keep his head in the right position and repeatedly spoke about Mario Cart. At the end of one of the exercises, he lost his balance and almost fell, the report said.
Bobo’s performance led the officer to conclude he should be arrested for driving under the influence, the report said. Up to that point, Bobo showed a calm, cooperative demeanor. This changed as he began to scream and cry. He repeatedly stated he was in disbelief that his car could travel over 100 mph, but he agreed that having headlights on while driving at night was important. He made multiple requests for the officer to just drive him home, although these were denied.
While on the way to Lake County Jail, Bobo continued to show excessive mood swings, the report said. He admitted he was wrong and to drinking prior to driving, and he stated he understood the officer was doing his job to keep people safe. He then became angry, yelling and screaming as he sobbed.
Once at the jail, Bobo provided breath samples of .151 and .154. He further advised that he was “toasty” from drinking Crown Royal before he drove to find food. He explained that he was “buzzed” while driving and when he got pulled over. The report noted an open bottle of Crown Royal was found inside the vehicle on the floorboard in addition to the Twisted Tea.
Bobo was ultimately charged with DUI and issued a reckless driving citation. He was also given a verbal warning on driving without headlights and taillights. He was released after posting $1,000 but is expected to appear in court on Oct. 25.
