A Mascotte man was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after his dangerous driving prompted a bystander to call law enforcement.
An unknown caller told law enforcement about a grey Hyundai swerving into oncoming traffic on County Road 469 in Webster around 10:30 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The driver, 34-year-old Rogelio Garcia Alverado, had stopped in the middle of the road before continuing to travel at 5 mph.
He then stopped in the center of the road, turned on his hazard lights and began reversing. He eventually turned into a private driveway, where he stayed until a deputy arrived on scene to find him standing outside the driver’s side door. Once the deputy turned on his emergency lights, Garcia Alverado made eye contact with him and got back into his still-running vehicle, the report said.
He put the vehicle in reverse and refused to comply with several commands to get out. At some point, the deputy noticed an open Modelo beer can in the cup holder near the center console. Garcia Alverado eventually stepped out of his vehicle, revealing how unsteady he was on his feet. The deputy also saw his eyes were bloodshot, and he smelled strongly of alcohol, the report said.
While using a translator to speak, Garcia Alverado appeared to have slurred speech and could not give his name for identification purposes. He denied having a valid driver’s license or ID card when asked, and he later refused to submit to a breath test or participate in field sobriety exercises. He was subsequently placed under arrest and taken to the Sumter County Detention Center, the report said.
Garcia Alverado was charged with DUI, operate motor vehicle without valid license and refuse to submit to DUI test after license suspended. The native of Mexico was released from the detention center after posting $2,500 bond.