A well known poker dealer was arrested on a drunk driving charge after leaving Gator’s Dockside in Clermont.
An officer on patrol observed 40-year-old Harry “Hustler” Lu asleep behind the wheel of a beige Nissan parked at Wawa, 1909 S U.S. Hwy. 27, at 1 a.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Clermont Police Department. According to a published schedule, Lu leads poker play on Monday nights at Gator’s Dockside.
As the officer approached the vehicle, he saw Lu with his eyes closed and his mouth open. He then knocked on the windshield, startling Lu awake. He opened the door when asked, and the smell of alcohol emitted from the vehicle and himself, the report said.
The officer asked Lu if he was okay, and he stated yes. He was working as an Uber driver and slept in the parking lot while waiting for more jobs. He added that he had a busy schedule that day and had been up since early in the morning, the report said.
Lu denied drinking any alcohol, although he had bloodshot eyes. When he spoke, he stuttered and mumbled with slurred speech. He also continuously licked his lips as if his mouth was dry, the report said.
More officers subsequently arrived on scene and noticed the smell of alcohol coming from Lu. he willingly stepped out of his vehicle, swaying as he did so. He took a wider stance, but he still appeared to be unsteady, the report said.
The officer again asked if he had consumed any alcohol, and Lu admitted to consuming one or two beers a couple of hours prior at Gator’s Dockside, 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. He agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, stumbling over his feet as he and the officer walked to a different part of the parking lot to conduct them, the report said.
During the exercises, Lu continued to sway and used his arms to keep his balance. He did not follow instructions and had to restart one of the exercises. His performance led the officers to conclude that he was under the influence. He later provided breath samples of 0.115g/210L and 0.113g/210L, the report said.
Lu was arrested on charge of DUI and booked at the Lake County South Sub Station with bond set at $1,000.