A Fruitland Park man was arrested for DUI after running into the back of a patrol vehicle at a stop light.
An officer responded to a crash involving another on-duty officer at the intersection of Limit Avenue and U.S. Highway 441 around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Mount Dora Police Department.
Upon arrival, one officer was informed by the other that he was heading east on Limit Avenue and came to a stop for the red light at U.S. Highway 441. The driver traveling behind him, later identified as 45-year-old Peter Hakanson, did not stop. The front left bumper of his silver 2020 Toyota 4D struck the rear bumper of the officer’s patrol vehicle, the report said.
The officer saw Hakanson behind the wheel of the Toyota, and he was later asked to step out of said vehicle. He had difficulty doing so as he staggered and swayed. He also walked unsteadily and had the strong smell of alcohol coming from his person, the report said.
Once the crash investigation concluded, an officer began a DUI investigation. Hakanson agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises. However, he started before being told to, lost his balance and used his arms for balance during them, the report said.
The officer then read Hakanson his rights, and he decided not to speak with law enforcement. He later refused to submit to a breath test. Additionally, a criminal history check revealed he had a DUI conviction from June 2007, the report said.
Hakanson was subsequently arrested on charge of DUI and transported to Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.