A Mascotte man was arrested for DUI after his unusual driving led to the discovery of three open containers of alcohol in his vehicle.
An officer on patrol observed a blue 2020 Jeep Compass traveling west on State Road 50 around 9 p.m. Friday, May 29, according to an arrest report from the Groveland Police Department. The driver, 61-year-old Richard Holmes, failed to stay in his lane and twice used the dotted white line to drive straight.
As the officer got closer, he activated his radar and determined the vehicle was going 65 mph in a 55-mph zone. He then stopped the vehicle at the intersection of State Road 50 and the Green Valley West subdivision. Holmes advised that he had a little to drink when the officer noticed an open 50mL container of Canadian Mist, a 40% BAC beverage, in the cup holder, the report said.
Holmes subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises. However, he did not follow instructions, lost his balance and swayed throughout. His performance led the officer to conclude he was under the influence, the report said.
Following his arrest, Holmes was searched. The officer noticed the smell of alcohol on his breath along with the color orange on his tongue, consistent with the Smirnoff Zesty Orange found in a 32-oz Polar Pop cup in the cup holder and a 1-pint bottle under the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Holmes later provided two breath samples of 0.145, the report said.
The Alabama native was charged with DUI and booked at Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.