A Sarasota man was arrested for DUI after driving dangerously and arguing with an officer during sobriety exercises.
A passing motorist informed an officer of a white Mercedes traveling west on U.S. Hwy. 441 at 12:45 a.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The driver, 58-year-old Robert John Nicholson, was possibly intoxicated due to his behavior.
The officer saw the vehicle enter the intersection of Newell Hill Road and East Dixie Avenue, watching as it made a wide turn and almost stopped in the road. It continued westbound at 55 to 60 mph as the officer caught up to it. The vehicle bounced between the lines of the right lane and almost hit the curb in the process, the report said.
The vehicle also maneuvered a right curve in the road so wide that it crossed the center line before getting back into its lane. As it approached South Lake Street, the vehicle suddenly hit the brakes and signaled a right turn. But it instead stopped in the intersection, went forward, almost ran into the sidewalk, corrected back into the right lane and continued west, the report said.
This dangerous behavior led the officer to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle obeyed but hesitated as it rolled to a stop. When asked if he felt okay, Nicholson stated he felt normal and acted confused about the officer’s concerns. He even disagreed with the officer’s observations, the report said.
The officer could smell alcohol coming from the vehicle and Nicholson, who slurred his speech. He had difficulty staying on topic or completing thoughts. He then slowly reached into his glove box and fumbled slightly to open it, the report said.
He subsequently handed over a copy of his expired proof of insurance and closed the glove box. The officer had to remind Nicholson that he needed his registration, which seemed to confuse and agitate him. He proceeded to retrieve four insurance papers, even after picking up the registration and putting it back in the glove box. He eventually grabbed another stack of papers that included the registration, the report said.
Nicholson denied drinking alcohol but ultimately agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises. The report noted that during this interaction, he interjected with personal issues he was having with his marriage. He also began drinking an unknown liquid that he claimed was water. The officer had to ask him to stop before he fumbled his way out of his vehicle for the exercises.
He continued interrupting the officer as he explained the instructions. He mentioned medications he took several times, but explicitly advised that he felt completely normal. His performance, including a constant loss of balance and arguing, led the officer to conclude he was under the influence. He later refused to provide a breath sample, the report said.
A later check of Nicholson’s criminal history revealed a prior DUI conviction, the report said.
The Pennsylvania native was arrested on charges of DUI (second offense) and refusal to submit DUI testing. He was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $3,000 bond.