A Lakeland man was arrested for DUI when he admitted to drinking two beers at Steve’s Package & Lounge.
An officer with the Fruitland Park Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a black 2023 Jeep, later identified as 46-year-old Joshua Martin Ollila, for speeding around 2:15 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The final traffic stop was at Speedway, located at 27345 U.S. Hwy. 27, Leesburg.
Upon arrival, an LPD officer met with the FPPD officer who stated he observed the vehicle leaving Steve’s Package & Lounge, located at 1302 S. 14th St., Leesburg. He watched the vehicle’s driving pattern and initiated the stop after it reached speeds of 80 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. The vehicle had to slam on the brakes to keep from hitting another driver on the roadway, the report said.
The LPD officer then approached Ollila who was in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. He observed Ollila had bloodshot watery eyes, and the odor of alcohol could be smelled coming from the vehicle over the smell of the cigarette he was smoking, the report said.
When asked where he was coming from, Ollila said down the street. He stated he was headed down the road to his house and admitted to having two beers. The officer explained that he was under suspicion of DUI and asked if he would consent to field sobriety exercises, to which he agreed, the report said.
Ollila’s performance during the exercises, which included swaying and loss of balance, led the officer to conclude he was under the influence. He later refused to submit to a breath test, the report said.
Additionally, a check of Ollila’s criminal history revealed he had one prior conviction for DUI from May 15, 2017. A check of his driver’s license showed it had been previously suspended for refusing to submit to a lawful breath test, the report said.
Ollila was subsequently arrested on charges of DUI and DUI (refusal to submit to DUI breath test). The Ohio native was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $3,000 bond.