A Minneola man was arrested for driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run that he tried to blame on his wife.
Troopers responded to a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 27 and Southern Breeze Drive in Minneola at 5:40 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol. A dark blue Chevrolet Blazer, later found to be driven by 45-year-old Roger Earl Taylor, had rear-ended another vehicle and fled the scene.
Two witnesses were able to get the Blazer’s registration tag, which returned to Taylor’s address on Oakwood Court in Minneola. The troopers were on their way to the residence when dispatchers received a call from Taylor’s wife. She stated Taylor, who appeared impaired, returned home in the vehicle that had extensive front-end damage, the report said.
When the troopers arrived, they found the Blazer parked in the driveway facing the garage. Its tag matched the number given by the witnesses. Taylor’s wife pointed the troopers toward him and his place in the garage, the report said.
Taylor stood and walked toward the troopers, who asked who had been driving the Blazer. Taylor first stated that his wife had been driving, but he admitted it had been him moments later. He also admitted his driver’s license had been suspended when asked for it, and he asked the troopers to give him a “break,” the report said.
During this conversation, the troopers noticed his face was flushed, his speech was slurred and he was sweating profusely. His breath and his person smelled strongly of alcohol, as well, the report said.
Taylor advised that the vehicle in front of him had “slammed on the brakes,” and he subsequently collided with the back of the vehicle. He did not make any attempt to stay at the scene, check on the occupants of the other vehicle or contact emergency services. Additionally, his wife provided a voicemail that captured him saying, “We have to go,” following the collision, the report said.
The troopers asked if he would participate in field sobriety exercises, to which he stated he had “horrible balance” because he had previously been shot in the leg. They instead checked his eyes and determined he was under the influence. He verbally cursed and resisted arrest, but the troopers were able to secure him in the back of a patrol vehicle, the report said.
Taylor asked if he could be released with “just a ticket” while on the way to jail, the report said. Although he had already refused medical attention, he later stated he wanted to go to the hospital. He also said he should have “jumped out and whooped” the other driver so he could “go to jail with a purpose.”
Once at jail, a trooper warned Taylor about the consequences of refusing a breath test. Taylor repeatedly talked over the trooper and refused to give a clear answer about whether he could provide a sample. He did this continually until being issued a refusal, the report said.
Additionally, a check of his driving history confirmed his license had been revoked on July 15. He had one previous driving while license suspended conviction on the same date, the report said.
The report noted Taylor was convicted in Lake County for DUI, driving on a suspended license and disorderly conduct. He was given a 12-month probation sentence as a result.
The West Virginia native was charged with DUI, refusal to submit to DUI testing, hit-and-run and driving while license suspended or revoked. He was booked at the Lake County Jail without bond.