A Minneola man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after recklessly weaving through lanes of traffic near the Florida Turnpike.
Dispatch got a call about a reckless driver, later identified as 31-year-old Ricardo Alberto Garcia Gonzalez, headed northbound on U.S. Hwy. 27 around 12:55 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, according to an arrest report from the Groveland Police Department. He was traveling in a silver BMW, weaving between lanes while going 40 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Shortly after, officers spotted the BMW slowly heading southbound on U.S. Hwy. 27. The vehicle failed to maintain its lane by crossing over the fog line multiple times. The officers subsequently stopped the vehicle near the Florida Turnpike and could smell the alcohol coming from Garcia Gonzalez when they spoke to him, the report said.
They also noticed his bloodshot, watery eyes, his slow speech and slow reactions. There was vomit on the outside of his vehicle, as well. He subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, stumbling out of his vehicle and leaning against the back of it for support, the report said.
An officer had begun explaining the first exercise when Garcia Gonzalez asked for a lawyer. He ultimately refused to do the exercises and was arrested. He later provided one breath sample of 0.173g/210L before refusing to give another. He also refused to sign any citations, the report said.
Garcia Gonzalez was charged with DUI, refusal to submit blood alcohol level test and refusal to sign citation. He was issued citation for failure to maintain singular lane and impeding traffic. The native of Puerto Rico was then booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,500 bond.