A 76-year-old Florida man with a suspended license allegedly admitted throughout a visitors cease that he had been ingesting rum — later telling deputies he had additionally just lately used cocaine — simply 4 months after a separate DUI arrest, authorities stated.
Charles Ducking, 76, of Lake Wales, was pulled over after a sheriff’s deputy allegedly noticed him swerving whereas driving alongside US Freeway 27 in Waverly, in response to the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace.
The deputy detected the odor of alcohol and seen that Ducking allegedly had slurred speech and watery eyes.
When requested for his driver’s license, Ducking allegedly advised the deputy it had been suspended.
“Nicely, I can’t present you my driver’s license cuz it’s suspended cuz DUI. And I’ve been ingesting a bit bit proper now,” he stated, in response to the sheriff’s workplace.
Officers stated Ducking then confirmed the deputy a silver thermal cup containing a brown liquid.
“This right here is my rum I’m ingesting,” he stated, in response to the sheriff’s workplace.
A visitors deputy who responded to conduct a DUI investigation instantly acknowledged Ducking from a earlier DUI arrest in Could, the sheriff’s workplace stated.
Officers stated deputies additionally discovered a small orange container containing cocaine throughout a search of Ducking’s automobile, which allegedly prompted Ducking to inform regulation enforcement he had “achieved a line” 10 minutes earlier than he was pulled over.
Throughout area sobriety exams, Ducking displayed a number of indicators of impairment, and breath exams registered blood alcohol focus readings of .094 and .095, above Florida’s .08 authorized restrict for drivers.
“Whereas we admire Charles Ducking’s cooperation throughout the visitors cease, the actual fact of the matter is, he’s fortunate he hasn’t but killed somebody or himself whereas driving drunk and excessive on medicine,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated in a press release.
“He has tempted destiny too many occasions, and he must make some critical adjustments in his life earlier than it’s too late,” Judd continued. “I’m happy with my deputies for his or her proactive patrolling to search out impaired drivers and get them off the highway.”
Ducking was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.
He was charged with DUI — fourth or subsequent offense — possession of cocaine, driving with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In accordance with the sheriff’s workplace, Ducking was beforehand arrested for DUI in Could. He was launched from jail days later after posting bond on the situation that he not possess or eat alcohol.
Officers stated Ducking has been arrested 9 different occasions in Polk County relationship again to 2001, together with a number of DUI arrests.
