A reckless driver traveling at an excessive speed told law enforcement he was running late for an appointment.
An officer saw 42-year-old Gavaskar Lachhmanan of Winter Garden in a black Chevrolet Malibu driving east on Cleveland Avenue around 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. The vehicle accelerated at an excessive speed, which drew his attention.
The officer turned onto Cleveland Avenue and watched as the vehicle followed too closely behind another. It then sped up again and used a turn lane to pass the other vehicle. This unsafe and improper maneuver led the officer to stop the vehicle on County Road 466A and Pleasantdale Drive, the report said.
He explained the reason for the stop, and Lachhmanan became argumentative. He advised that he was late for an appointment and said, “They were blocking me.” The officer still issued a criminal citation for reckless driving, the report said.
Lachhmanan got argumentative again, but the officer continued, saying he needed Lachhmanan to sign the citation. He replied, “I’m not signing that,” indicating his refusal to cooperate. The officer reiterated the signature was required to ensure he received it, and Lachhmanan refused once more, the report said.
At that point, the officer opened the driver’s side door, grabbed Lachhmanan’s left arm and put him in handcuffs. He was then taken to the back of a patrol vehicle, the report said.
Lachhmanan was arrested on charges of reckless driving and resist officer (refuse to accept/sign citation or post bond. He was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center with bond set at $1,000.