A Weirsdale man was arrested after admitting to having several beers because of a bad breakup when stopped at Mulberry Grove Plaza in The Villages.
A deputy observed a black Chevy pickup truck following a Mustang more closely than was reasonable on Southeast Highway 42, Summerfield, around 6:10 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver, later identified as 25-year-old Lee Jarod Pratt, was driving rashly and had no regard for the speed of the Mustang. He made a sudden change to the right lane to avoid colliding with the back of it. In doing so, he cut in front of a white pickup truck, the report said.
At 7400 SE Hwy. 42, the deputy turned on emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop and drove directly behind Pratt. He was slow to respond to the signal and pull over, instead speeding up and continuing westbound on the highway. The deputy activated sirens and toggled between the tones, to which Pratt eventually realized what was happening and pulled over at Mulberry Grove Plaza.
The deputy approached the driver’s side to see Pratt, the sole occupant of the vehicle, sitting behind the driver’s seat. The deputy explained the reason for the stop but immediately smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from Pratt’s breath. He then asked for his license, registration and proof of insurance, the report said.
Pratt looked around the vehicle and stated he did not know the whereabouts of his wallet or other documents. The odor of alcohol got stronger as he spoke. The deputy noticed his bloodshot watery eyes and informed Pratt of his observations, the report said.
Pratt admitting to drinking three beers, as he had just ended the relationship with his current partner. He told the deputy he was impaired and asked to be arrested. The deputy asked him to participate in field sobriety exercises, and he agreed, the report said.
The deputy got through two exercises with Pratt before he stated there was no need to continue with them because he was drunk. He also did not want to keep doing them. The deputy determined Pratt was impaired and informed him he was being charged for it, the report said.
After being read his rights, Pratt reiterated he was drinking beers because of a bad “breakup.” He stated he could have hurt someone on the road. He felt the deputy was helping him and doing the right thing. He also became extremely emotional as he started to cry profoundly. He later gave three breath samples of 0.255, 0.233 and 0.232, the report said.
The deputy subsequently inventoried the pickup truck and found multiple open alcoholic beverages behind the driver’s seat on the floorboard. These included two Goose Island Tropical beers, one of which was half full and cold to the touch with the other being empty; two empty Natural Light beers; and two empty Yuengling Lager beers, the report said.
Pratt was arrested on charge of DUI and transported to Marion County Jail. Bond was set at $1,000.