An 80-year-old Florida man is facing charges after it was believed he was driving under the influence when he crashed into the side of a supermarket.
On the afternoon of June 5, a man was driving through the parking lot at the Publix Supermarket in Jacksonville when two people walked in front of his vehicle. He hit the brakes to avoid potentially hitting them, but it caused his car to slam into the side of the building.
People heard the impact of the crash from inside the store, and they found the source of the sound when they saw the man’s vehicle. The authorities were alerted, and deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office went to the location. When they talked to the higher-ups at Publix, they asked if the car could be left where it was, so they would not risk causing more damage to the building by removing it.
The driver, who was injured in the accident, talked to the deputies about the incident. It was noted that the man, who uses a cane to walk, was unsteady on his feet, and they got the impression that he had been driving under the influence. They asked him to take roadside sobriety tests. It was reported that he performed poorly.
The man was taken into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol or chemical substance, DUI with property damage/ personal injury, and careless driving, in addition to receiving a citation for driving with an open container He was held at the John E. Goode Pre-trial Detention Facility and released the following day. According to records, his next scheduled court appearance is on the morning of July 13.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a DUI offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.