A Bushnell man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after failing to stay in his lane for two-thirds of a mile with Miller High Lifes beside him.
Dispatchers warned law enforcement of a reckless driver, later identified as 29-year-old Norberto Lopez Matias, in Bushnell around 5:40 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy found the vehicle failing to maintain its lane, traveling slowly and entering the oncoming lane on North Florida Street near East Central Avenue.
The deputy turned on his emergency lights and sirens for a traffic stop as the vehicle turned onto North Main Street. It continued on between 15 and 30 mph, swerving and failing to stay in its lane. It also bypassed numerous safe places to pull over before turning again onto West Palm Avenue, the report said.
The vehicle continued this behavior and nearly struck a tree off the north side of the road in the process. It finally came to a stop near the intersection with North York Street, close to Matias’s home on West Palm Avenue. The deputy proceeded to remove Lopez Matias from the vehicle, the report said.
As he did so, a mostly empty 23-ounce container of Miller High Life beer fell from the driver’s side of the vehicle onto the ground. Lopez Matias smelled strongly of alcohol, which only grew stronger as he spoke. He subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, the report said.
His performance, including significant swaying, glossy eyes and not following instructions, led the deputy to conclude he was under the influence. He later provided breath samples of 0.292 and 0.295. Additionally, a search of his vehicle yielded another empty Miller High Life in the passenger compartment and an unopened can of the same drink under the front passenger seat, the report said.
Lopez Matias was arrested on charges of DUI and flee/elude police. The native of Mexico was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $3,500 bond.