Suspected drunk driver refuses to cooperate with law enforcement during arrest

A Lady Lake man was arrested for suspected drunk driving in Fruitland Park despite being argumentative and refusing to cooperate during a traffic stop.

An officer responded to a traffic stop in the area of U.S. Hwy. 27/441, south of North Dixie Avenue, around 6:45 p.m. Jan. 27, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. 

Upon arrival, the officer was informed by a K9 unit officer that the probable cause for the stop was speed, as the driver, later identified as 39-year-old Serge Imhotep Borgella, was going 72 mph in a 50-mph zone. The K9 unit officer further explained that he observed the vehicle, a black Nissan passenger car, weaving within its lane and entering adjacent lanes. It traveled at inconsistent speeds and would rapidly brake for no apparent reason, the report said. 

Once the vehicle was stopped, the K-9 unit officer learned that Borgella was driving without a Florida license and only had a Texas ID. He was believed to be impaired, leading the K-9 unit officer to request the other officer speak with him, the report said. 

The officer proceeded to meet with Borgella. When he approached the vehicle, Borgella was looking down at his lap and did not notice his presence or flashlight. It took several attempts to get his attention, the report said. 

When the officer asked Borgella how to pronounce his name, he spelled it. The officer asked again to which he spelled it once more and shouted the pronunciation. An odor of alcoholic beverages was noticeable on him that became stronger when he spoke, the report said. 

The officer also noticed Borgella’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and his eyelids were droopy. Borgella would blankly stare at his lap or the steering wheel when the officer spoke and gave delayed responses to questions or statements. He became increasingly agitated with law enforcement as the officer spoke, the report said. 

Due to these observations, the officer requested Borgella participate in field sobriety exercises, to which he agreed, the report said. He showed signs of impairment, including slow reflexes, unsteady coordination and needing instructions to be repeated. He was also very argumentative and told the officer that he decided when he was done, not the officer. 

These indicators led the officer to conclude that Borgella was driving under the influence. He told Borgella he was under arrest and tried placing him in handcuffs, causing him to become belligerent as he attempted to yank his arms away from law enforcement. He was repeatedly told to stop pulling away and resisting, to which he continued doing so. He was eventually handcuffed and escorted to the rear compartment of a patrol vehicle, the report said. 

Borgella was later removed so a full search of his person could be conducted. While the officer attempted to complete the search, Borgella continuously pulled away or jerked his shoulders back, almost striking law enforcement in the process. He was then put back in the patrol vehicle and taken to Lake County Jail for the booking process, the report said. 

Once at the jail, the officer tried to get Borgella’s attention, but he jerked away and became uncooperative again. Lake County Corrections staff intervened and took him into the facility. He was placed in a restraint chair as he continued to resist corrections staff, the report said. 

The officer read implied consent, to which Borgella was verbally aggressive and would not answer the question regarding a breath sample. This resulted in a refusal. Due to Borgella’s behavior and actions, the officer was unable to read his rights, and he was taken into holdings by correction staff, the report said. 

Borgella was charged with DUI, resisting officer without violence and no valid driver’s license. He was also issued a citation for speeding. The New Jersey native was released from jail after posting $2,500 bond.