An Oxford man was arrested after being stopped at a Sunoco for speeding and admitting to having beers at the Shamrock bar in Leesburg.
An officer spotted the driver of a small white vehicle, later identified as 44-year-old Edward Joseph Snay, speeding northbound on U.S. Hwy. 441 in the wee hours Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. Radar confirmed the vehicle to be going 92 miles in a 50-mph zone on roads that were wet from earlier rain.
The officer pulled out from the center median to stop the vehicle for speeding. He noted that the vehicle was on the lane markers briefly between the center and right lanes. As he got behind the vehicle, it was still 10 miles over the speed limit, the report said.
The officer conducted a traffic stop, and Snay pulled into the Sunoco gas station, located at 413 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, Lady Lake. He met Snay at the window, noticing his face was flushed. His eyes were also glassy and watery, and he slurred his words as he spoke, the report said.
Snay advised that he was on his way home from work and did not realize he was going so fast. He later stated, “Maybe 70mph all day long, but I didn’t think I was going so fast.” He also said he does flooring and vinyl siding for work, which seemed unusual at that time of night, the report said.
Another officer arrived on scene as backup while the first officer prepared a citation. He asked the assisting officer to speak with Snay to see if he noticed any signs of impairment. He stated Snay was acting deliberately and slowly, the report said.
The officers had Snay step out of his vehicle to sign the speeding infraction and to better judge his ability to drive. He swayed slightly as he walked to the patrol car. An officer also noticed the odor of alcohol on him and his breath as he spoke, the report said.
Because of these observations and Snay’s driving behavior, he was asked to participate in field sobriety exercises, to which he agreed. His performance, which included using his arms for balance and stumbling, led the officers to conclude he was under the influence. He then admitted to having two Heineken beers at Shamrock Lounge & Package, located at 1120 W. North Blvd., Leesburg, the report said.
When the officer told him he was being arrested, Snay was asked if he had anything on him that he should not. He replied that he had marijuana in his front left pocket. A Ziploc bag containing said drug was found there, weighing about 5 grams, the report said.
Snay was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams). The New York native was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.