A resident of the Village of Collier was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after almost hitting several mailboxes on the way back from a sports bar.
An officer on patrol observed 30-year-old Christopher Robert Picard swerving in a white Chevrolet Malibu around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Clermont Police Department.
Prior to this, he had seen the same vehicle pulling out of the parking lot of Mullets Sports Bar, located at 736 W Montrose Ave. It made too wide a turn onto Osceola Street, coming very close to hitting the curb on the other side of the road. The officer decided to follow the vehicle as it drove too close to the right side of the road and nearly hit several mailboxes, the report said.
The vehicle then stopped at the intersection with East Avenue to turn northbound. It continued to swerve in its lane, as well as in and out of the left-turn lane. Finally, it did not come to a complete stop at the stop sign on Lake County Trail, the report said.
Due to multiple infractions, the officers initiated a traffic stop and spoke with Picard. He seemed to slur his speech during their conversation, and he was visibly sweaty with glassy eyes. The report noted that he continually claimed his proof of insurance should work as his registration, as well.
Picard subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, during which he lost his balance and swayed. He also just spun for one of the exercises and slurred his numbers when counting for another. His performance led the officer to conclude he was under the influence. He later provided breath samples of 0.222g/210L and 0.226g/210L, the report said.
The Michigan native was arrested on charge of DUI and booked at Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.