A Leesburg man was arrested for drunk driving after leaving Shamrock Lounge in his truck despite being warned against it by law enforcement.
An officer responded to a trespass request at the Shamrock Lounge, located at 1120 W. North Boulevard, around 12:09 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The caller stated there was a man present refusing to leave, and they would like him trespassed from the property.
Upon arrival, officers met 49-year-old Aaron Drew Byers. He was issued a trespass warning and explained that he could not return to the property or he could be arrested. It was very apparent that Byers was intoxicated with a strong odor of alcohol when speaking, swaying and slurred speech, but he stated he was calling his mother to come pick him up, the report said.
After about 45 minutes, his ride did not show up. The officer spoke to him again and asked how long before his ride showed. Byers then admitted that he did not call anyone due to being embarrassed, the report said.
The officer explained that he could not sit all night with him and was given the option to call someone or a taxi. He made it very clear to Byers that if he returned to his vehicle and tried to drive home, he would be arrested for DUI. Byers instead chose to walk home, the report said.
At about 1:15 a.m., employees from Shamrock called and stated that Byers returned and drove off in his truck headed south on U.S. Hwy. 441. Several officers searched the area and were able to find the truck, a white 2017 Toyota Tundra, at Sunoco gas station, located at 1705 U.S. Hwy. 441. It was parked next to the curb at the front of the store with the keys in the ignition, the report said.
As one of the officers approached the vehicle, he could see Byers sitting in the driver’s seat. He parked his patrol car behind the truck and activated his overhead lights, and Byers exited the driver’s seat, the report said.
The officer asked Byers if he remembered what he told him would happen if he chose to drive his truck after their interaction at Shamrock, and he stated, “I would go to jail.” He was still suffering from the effects of alcohol he drank, clearly swaying, slurring speech and smelling of alcoholic beverages when he spoke. He agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, the report said.
Due to the circumstances and Byers’ performance, including loss of balance and the inability to stand on one leg, the officers concluded he was driving under the influence. This was later confirmed with breath tests resulting in .277g/210L and .232g.210L, the report said.
Byers was arrested and charged with DUI. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.
