A Lady Lake man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after admitting to having several alcoholic drinks at Ramshackle in Leesburg.
A deputy observed a gold 2005 Chevrolet Silverado struggling to stay in its lane near the intersection of Picciola Road and Sailfish Avenue in Fruitland Park around 11:05 p.m. Monday, June 29, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He subsequently stopped the driver, 47-year-old Steve Daniel Carroll, and the male passenger.
As the driver’s window rolled down, the deputy detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Carroll initially stated he had no warrants and denied drinking or smoking marijuana that evening. But his breath smelled of alcohol when he made this claim, the report said.
He advised that he was heading home and giving the passenger a ride. He acknowledged smoking marijuana, but not recently. His last alcoholic drink was at least four hours prior at Ramshackle Cafe, 1317 N 14th St., Leesburg, the report said.
The deputy then conducted field sobriety exercises on Carroll, who lost his balance throughout the process. When asked to stand on one leg, he stated, “I can’t, I’m fat.” He ultimately failed the exercises and admitted he had been drinking alcohol at Ramshackle, the report said.
Carroll thought he had left well beyond the time he needed and believed he was good to drive. He added that there was marijuana in the vehicle, and he had a nicotine pouch in his mouth that affected his speech. He later provided breath samples of 0.196 and 0.179, the report said.
A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a Kimber .45 caliber handgun in the front passenger seat. There was also a loaded magazine, a box of .45 caliber ammunition and marijuana. The firearm was taken for safekeeping, and the marijuana was taken into evidence for destruction, the report said.
Carroll was arrested on charge of DUI and booked at the Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $500 bond.