Son of couple in The Villages arrested after multi-vehicle crash at Lake Denham Estates

A man living with his parents in The Villages was arrested on a drunk driving charge after causing a traffic accident at the entrance to Lake Denham Estates in Leesburg.

An officer responded to a multiple vehicle crash in the area of Lake Denham Estates, located at 29109 U.S. Hwy. 27, around 8:51 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. 

Upon arrival, the officer found 25-year-old Elijah Matthew McCormick, who lives with his parents in the Village of Monarch Grove, who was in the driver’s seat of his car. He advised that he was driving south in the right lane of the highway when the crash happened, during which both airbags deployed and there was a lot of front-end damage to his vehicle. However, he refused medical aid, the report said. 

The officer smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from McCormick’s breath as he spoke. He was also unsteady while walking and standing, using his vehicle to stabilize himself. His eyes were glassy and watery, as well, the report said. 

McCormick was ultimately found to be at fault for the traffic crash. After the conclusion of that investigation, the officer explained to him that he was beginning a criminal investigation for DUI. He agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises on a nearby paved road, the report said. 

During the exercises, McCormick admitted that he was impaired and could not properly complete the exercises. His performance, which included poor listening and fumbling, indeed led the officer to conclude that he was under the influence. Breath samples taken later resulted in .281g/210L and .30lg/210L, the report said. 

McCormick was arrested on charge of DUI (accident/property damage or minor injury). The Colorado native was transported to Lake County Jail with bond set at $2,500.