A Clermont man was arrested for DUI after admitting to drinking at a work event when he was stopped for driving erratically.
A deputy initiated a traffic stop on 30-year-old Vinson Alfonzo Murphy, who was traveling 90 mph on U.S. Hwy. 27, around 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement had been told that his vehicle had struck a cone and that he was driving erratically.
The deputy himself saw the vehicle fail to stay in its lane, change from the middle to the far-left lane without signaling, and then return to the middle lane before slowing down abruptly. After approaching the vehicle, the deputy watched as Murphy struggled to find his driver’s license. He stated his wallet was in the trunk, and he staggered to retrieve it, the report said.
Murphy slurred his speech during this conversation and had an angry demeanor. His eyes appeared glossy, and his vehicle smelled of alcohol, the report said.
He advised that he was coming from a tailoring studio event in West Oakland, where his boss had been catering. He initially stated he had two Apple Spritzes, but clarified it was two to three drinks. When asked about the damage to the front of his vehicle, he did not know what had happened, the report said.
A friend of Murphy was also present in the vehicle, and he stated he drank one glass of prosecco while working at the event. His eyes looked heavy, and he appeared to be intoxicated. Neither he nor Murphy was wearing a seatbelt during the traffic stop, the report said.
Murphy subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, although he swayed and did not follow instructions. His performance led the deputy to conclude he was under the influence. He later provided breath samples of 0.146g/210L and 0.140g/210L, the report said.
Additionally, an inventory of his vehicle yielded an open box of Coppertail beer. Murphy stated he had just bought the vehicle registration that weekend, the report said.
Murphy was arrested on charge of DUI and booked at the Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.