A Fruitland Park man was arrested for DUI after admitting to drinking “quite a lot” when found slumped over while parked at Fruitland Park Plaza.
An officer conducting business checks observed a gray Dodge pickup truck in the parking lot of Fruitland Park Plaza, located at 3323 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, around 4:45 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. The truck was the sole vehicle in the parking lot of the closed businesses.
As the officer approached the vehicle, he noticed it was running while a man, later identified as 38-year-old Allen Bryan Eastwood, was slumped over in the driver’s seat. The officer knocked on the window to see if he was okay, as he could not tell if he was breathing. Eastwood appeared startled and confused upon walking up to the knock, the report said.
The officer observed Eastwood to have his pants unzipped, eyes glossy and watery, and to be sweating despite the vehicle running with the A/C on. As Eastwood rolled down the driver’s side window, the officer noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle that grew stronger as Eastwood spoke. His speech was delayed and slurred while his voice was low and raspy. His responses were delayed, as well, the report said.
When asked how much alcohol he consumed, Eastwood advised he had “quite a lot” a few hours ago. He was then asked if he would consent to a series of field sobriety exercises to determine if he was impaired. He stated that he would try his best, the report said.
The exercises were conducted in the parking lot of Legends Cafe on a dry, flat blacktop surface free of debris and traffic. However, Eastwood’s performance during the exercises, including falling and forgetting to follow through, led the officer to conclude that his normal faculties were impaired. A breath test taken later resulted in .169g/210L and .171g/210L, the report said.
Eastwood was subsequently arrested on charge of DUI. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,000 bond.