A Fruitland Park man was charged with drunk driving after admitting his guilt during a traffic stop.
An officer was called to assist with a traffic stop at the intersection of Citrus Boulevard and Tally Road at around 9:51 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
Police had observed 51-year-old William Elton Hearndon driving a white Ford pickup truck and failing to maintain his lane. Hearndon swerved off the roadway and struck the concrete curb. An officer followed him onto Citrus Boulevard, where he again swerved out of his lane, the report said.
A traffic stop was then initiated. The assisting officer arrived on scene and spoke to Hearndon. His eyes were bloodshot and watery, and the officer could smell alcohol on Hearndon’s breath as he spoke, according to the report.
When asked to perform field sobriety exercises, Herndon declined and stated there was no point. He admitted to being guilty and that he should not be driving. He also advised he was driving home from a bar. While at the bar, Hearndon had four vodka drinks and a double shot of Jameson, the report said.
Hearndon would later provide breath samples for the officers. The first sample resulted in a reading of .288, and the second was .294 — both more than three times the legal limit.
Hearndon was arrested and charged with DUI. He was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,000 bond. A court date was set for April 12.
