A Villager will lose his driver’s license in connection with a golf cart drunk driving arrest which occurred after drinking beer at Sonny’s BBQ at Lake Sumter Landing.
Roger Edmond Gagne, 72, who lives at 811 Orchid St. on the Historic Side of The Villages, pleaded no contest last week in Lake County Court to a charge of driving under the influence. He will lose his driver’s license for one year, has been placed on probation for one year and has been ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, although he can “buy out” at the rate of $10 per hour. As part of his probation, he has been ordered not to possess or consume alcohol and he must seek an alcohol evaluation and follow recommendations for treatment.
Gagne was driving a red Yamaha golf cart on June 24 when he went to La Grande Boulevard and La Plaza Parkway, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. Gagne had been called to the scene to pick up an acquaintance involved in an unrelated accident. When the Rhode Island native arrived on the scene, officers noticed he appeared to be under the influence. He “struggled to formulate sentences and appeared to have slurred and slowed speech,” according to the arrest report. He had to use the golf cart to balance himself. He attempted to take part in field sobriety exercises, but the exercises had to be halted because Gagne was “too intoxicated to stand” and refused to follow directions, according to the arrest report. Gagne said he had been at Sonny’s earlier in the day where he had consumed six bottles of Miller Light beer. He provided breath samples that both registered .196 blood alcohol content.
