A 54-year-old motorcyclist was arrested after being caught while allegedly intoxicated. The man, who hails from Sarasota, Florida, faces DUI as well as reckless driving charges, according to authorities attached to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The man was taken to a local jail, but it is unclear whether he has been released at this time. There is also no word as to whether he has retained criminal defense counsel.
According to the limited information provided in the report, it appears the man may have been speeding on his motorcycle near 55th Street in Marathon. Police say the man was traveling at some 78 miles per hour in a 45 zone. Deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office attempted to pull the man over, but the man dodged and weaved through traffic in an attempt to escape, nearly causing several accidents.
Eventually the man stopped near 41st street. Officers say he was observed falling down multiple times, leading police to believe he was intoxicated. He reportedly failed multiple roadside sobriety tests, and police say he blew a .187 blood alcohol level in a breathalyzer test, well above the legal limit of .08. He was arrested and taken into custody at that time.
However, DUI charges can sometimes be difficult to prosecute, as multiple factors can influence how and for how long alcohol can influence a driver behind the wheel. It will be up to Florida prosecutors to prove the man’s intoxication at the time of his arrest. His criminal defense attorney will carefully review the steps taken by officers on the scene to ensure the man’s rights were respected throughout the arrest process. If due process was not observed, the charges may be lowered or the case thrown out altogether.