Man from Guatemala jailed for suspected DUI after involvement in vehicle crash

A Leesburg man was arrested for DUI when officers noticed the smell of alcohol on his breath after his involvement in a vehicle crash.

An officer responded to a vehicle crash near State Road 44 at Hood Avenue around 12:38 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Upon arrival, he spoke with another officer who claimed the driver of one of the vehicles was possibly intoxicated. He then spoke with the driver, identified as 26-year-old Rudy Marrkuen Sanchez Sanchez, who was standing near his vehicle. 

Sanchez Sanchez had a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath. The officer explained to him that the crash investigation was finished, and he was now conducting a DUI investigation. Sanchez acknowledged this and stated that he was drinking the night before but not that day, the report said. 

The officer asked Sanchez to step over to his patrol vehicle, and he complied. He then explained to Sanchez that he wanted to conduct field sobriety exercises. Sanchez Sanchez agreed to participate, the report said. 

Due to several indicators of impaired motor function, such as bloodshot eyes, the officer concluded that Sanchez Sanchez was driving under the influence. He placed him in handcuffs and put him in the back of his patrol vehicle to be taken to the LPD for a breath test. This resulted in 0.157g/210L and 0.166g/210L, the report said. 

The native of Guatemala was subsequently charged with DUI (accident/property damage or minor injury). He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.