A Leesburg man was arrested for drunk driving after claiming he only had “two beers” during a traffic stop for speeding.
A deputy observed the driver of a white Chevrolet pickup, later identified as 27-year-old Luis Adolfo Rodriguez, speeding toward County Road 44 around 10:18 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Radar showed he was going 84 mph in a 55-mph zone.
The deputy then tried to catch up to the pickup which was turning onto County Road 44 toward Emeralda Avenue, the report said. He activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop, leading him to speak with the driver, Rodriguez.
Upon doing so, the deputy noticed Rodriguez had bloodshot and glassy eyes. He began to make a phone call while the officer tried talking to him, but the deputy could smell the odor of alcohol coming from Rodriguez as he spoke, the report said.
Rodriguez provided his license at which time the deputy explained the reason for the stop. He asked Rodriguez to exit the vehicle, but he became belligerent and uncooperative. Roriguez stated he was not going that fast although due to his demeanor he was detained for safety, the report said.
The deputy then moved Rodriguez to the side of the road for safety and asked him if he would be willing to participate in field sobriety exercises. He originally stated he would not do so but later agreed after the deputy explained he would be arrested for DUI based on his observations, the report said.
While the deputy explained the instructions, Rodriguez had to have them repeated and talked when the deputy tried to speak with him. He stated that he only had “two beers” earlier and was not intoxicated, the report said.
Rodriguez’s performance during the exercises led the deputy to conclude that he was indeed driving under the influence. He was taken into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail as a result. While in transit, Rodriguez became verbally aggressive toward deputies, cursing and calling them racial slurs. He also refused to provide a sample of his breath, blood or urine, the report said.
Rodriguez was subsequently charged with DUI and cited for speeding. He was released from jail after posting $1,000.
