A Tavares man was arrested for DUI after his involvement in a traffic accident that sent another vehicle through a BP Fuel sign.
An officer responded to a traffic crash call for service at the intersection of North 14th Street and Griffin Road around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
Upon arrival, the officer observed a damaged black 2018 Cadillac utility vehicle sitting in the middle of the intersection with 53-year-old Richard Deine in the front passenger seat. He also saw a blue 2013 Hyundai passenger car which had crashed through a BP Fuel Station sign, located at 1300 N. U.S. Hwy. 27. The Hyundai was flipped on the driver’s side, the report said.
The officer approached Deine who stated he was driving at the time of the accident. His brother, who was also involved in the traffic crash, confirmed Deine was the driver, the report said.
While on scene, the officer observed Deine struggling to get out of the car. He needed to lean on the vehicle and other vehicles to keep his balance once he got out. He also had slurred speech, pinpoint pupils and the odor of alcohol on him as he spoke, the report said.
Dispatch advised that a hit-and-run occurred involving a vehicle matching Deine’s car prior to the traffic crash. Once the traffic crash investigation concluded and Deine was medically cleared, a DUI investigation began, the report said.
Deine was read his rights, which he stated he understood after being asked several times. He confirmed again that he was driving the vehicle at the time of the traffic crash. He admitted to drinking alcohol when asked but said it was “the regular amount” when asked how much. He stated he drank beer and liquor, the report said.
Deine also declined to participate in field sobriety exercises. However, he did take a breath test and provide samples of 0.232 and 0.239, the report said.
The New York native was arrested on charge of DUI (accident/property damage or minor injury). He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.