A man has been arrested on a warrant charging him with driving under the influence after crashing into a McDonald’s restaurant this past year in Clermont.
A trooper responded to a crash involving 45-year-old Richard Paul Pablos of Clermont in the McDonald’s parking lot, located at 2252 U.S. Hwy. 27, Clermont, around 10:50 a.m., Dec. 11, 2025, according to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash investigation determined that Pablos was headed south in a blue 2024 Toyota toward the parking lot. He tried to make a right turn into the exit side of the parking lot, where two signs said: “DO NOT ENTER.” He then drove through the parking lot, and for unknown reasons, he made a hard right turn over a curb, the report said.
This caused his vehicle to collide with the McDonald’s building before reversing back over the curb and away from the site. He finally stopped in the parking lot and got out of the vehicle, which sustained heavy front-end damage, the report said.
When the trooper got there, Pablos claimed he accidentally released the brake while pulling into the parking lot, causing him to hit the building. But he showed signs of impairment, such as glossy eyes, difficulty keeping his balance and the smell of alcohol on his breath. There was also a cold Twisted Tea on the front passenger-side floorboard of his vehicle, an open Twisted Tea next to the driver’s door and the strong odor of spilled alcohol all over the driver’s side, the report said.
Additionally, a witness had seen Pablos’ driving pattern before the actual collision. He had almost hit the witness while having some difficulties steering. Once he sped up and hit the building, he stepped out of his vehicle with his pants soaked in a fluid. He had a hard time keeping his balance, as well, the report said.
Pablos was subsequently taken to Orlando Health South Lake Hospital, located at 1900 Don Wickham Dr., Clermont. He was interviewed again while there, and he advised that he did not realize he came into the parking lot through the wrong entrance. He had recently gone to a medical appointment in Tampa for an arm injury, and he had taken oxycodone medication before driving, the report said.
He claimed the Twisted Teas were from another night, but he agreed to provide a blood sample. The results came in March 2026, revealing a blood alcohol content level of 0.230 and 0.232, the report said.
Pablos was ultimately arrested this past week on charge of DUI (damage to property). The New York native was booked at Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,000 bond.