Man Jailed for DUI After Driving Wrong Way on U.S. 27

A Clermont man who has apparently been arrested three times previously for driving under the influence, remains in jail after being charged with DUI Sunday.

The 47-year-old man was charged with DUI, refusing to submit to a DUI test, driving while license suspended, resisting an officer and a moving traffic violation by a habitual offender.

He remains jailed without bond.

The sheriff’s office claims they received multiple calls about a driver driving the wrong way on U.S. Highway 27 shortly after midnight Sunday. A deputy said he found the accused man’s red pickup truck facing north in the highway’s southbound median strip, near Vacation Village.

The man, who was trying to get the vehicle started, refused to get out of the truck and was forcibly removed, according to an arrest affidavit.

The deputy claims the man refused to sit down in the median strip, so he was brought to the ground. The deputy used a stun gun on the man when he reportedly tried to get back up.

The man allegedly refused to take either a field sobriety test or a breath test, which according to reports, is why his license was suspended two times before. In 2012, reports indicate the man lost his license for a 10-year period for DUI.

Florida is known for being one of the toughest states on drunk drivers. Even first-time offenders can face hefty fines and potential jail time. This means that if you have been charged with a DUI in The Villages, the penalties will likely be extremely harsh if you are convicted. In order to minimize the penalties or even eliminate the charges altogether, it is vital that you enlist the help of a Villages DUI Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton to help you navigate through the legal process.

At Whittel & Melton, we have the resources you need to build a solid defense against DUI charges. We will work tirelessly to gather evidence and aggressively defend you in court to give you the best chance at a positive outcome. If we cannot get the charges against you dismissed, we will fight to get the consequences minimized.

Facing criminal charges, including a DUI charge, is a serious situation and can affect you for the rest of your life. These charges should never be taken lightly. Call a Villages DUI Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton today at 352-369-5334 or contact us online to see how we can help you.