A Lady Lake man was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence after confessing to drinking multiple alcoholic beverages at Ramshackle in Leesburg.
A deputy saw a gold 2005 Chevrolet Silverado trying to stay in its lane near the intersection of Picciola Road and Sailfish Avenue in Fruitland Park around 11:05 p.m. on Monday, June 29, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He then stopped both the driver, 47-year-old Steve Daniel Carroll, and the male passenger.
As the driver’s window rolled down, the deputy detected a strong marijuana stench coming from the vehicle. Carroll first said he had no warrants and denied drinking or smoking marijuana that evening. However, when he made this claim, his breath smelled like alcohol, according to the investigation.
He said that he was going home and would give the passenger a ride. He admitted consuming marijuana, but not recently. According to the complaint, his most recent alcoholic beverage was at Ramshackle Cafe, 1317 N 14th St., Leesburg, at least four hours ago.
The deputy then performed field sobriety tests on Carroll, who lost his balance during the procedure. When asked to stand on one leg, he responded, “I can’t; I’m fat.” He ultimately failed the exercises and acknowledged drinking alcohol at Ramshackle, according to the report.
Carroll assumed he had left far beyond the time limit and was ready to drive. He also stated that there was marijuana in the vehicle and that he had a nicotine pouch in his mouth, which impaired his speech. He later submitted breath samples of 0.196 and 0.179, according to the report.
A later search of his vehicle turned up a Kimber. 45 caliber handgun in the front passenger seat. There found also a loaded magazine, a package of. 45-caliber ammunition and marijuana. The firearm was collected for safekeeping, and the marijuana was taken as evidence for disposal, according to the report.
Carroll was arrested for DUI and put into the Lake County Jail. He was released after paying a $500 bond.
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