An Ocala woman was arrested for DUI after almost hitting a street sign and nearly falling during sobriety exercises.
A deputy saw 73-year-old Armi Locke Turner driving recklessly in Lake Panasoffkee around 12:20 a.m. Thursday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Her vehicle failed to stay in its lane several times, struck a concrete curb and nearly hit a street sign, leading to a traffic stop near County Road 470 and Interstate 75.
Turner smelled of alcohol when speaking to law enforcement. Her eyes were watery and red, and her speech slurred, as well. She initially refused to participate in field sobriety exercises but ultimately agreed to try them, the report said.
However, she was unsteady on her feet once she stepped out of the vehicle. She stumbled while walking, and the deputy had to stand next to her out of concern she would fall and injure herself. He indeed had to catch her before she hit the ground at one point, leading him to conclude it was too dangerous for her to do the exercises, the report said.
Turner later refused to provide a breath sample. A check of her criminal history followed and revealed she had prior DUI convictions, the report said.
She was arrested on charges of DUI and refusal to submit DUI testing. She was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $2,000 bond.