LADY LAKE, Fla. – A Wildwood man was taken into custody earlier this month after he was seen driving into oncoming traffic along U.S. Highway 27/441, according to Lady Lake police.
In a release, police said that reports about a reckless driver near County Road 25 and Griffin Avenue began coming in just before 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 12.
“Callers reported a red Ford passenger car swerving, crossing lanes and nearly striking other vehicles,” the release reads.
An officer soon spotted the car turning onto U.S. Highway 27/441, as it was driving south in the northbound lanes while other drivers swerved to avoid a crash, police noted.
Officers soon blocked traffic and brought the vehicle to a stop near Water Oak Boulevard. Police identified the driver as 44-year-old Christopher Johnson.
Christopher Johnson, 44, of Wildwood (Lake County Jail)
“(He) showed signs of heavy impairment and could not stand on his own,” the release continues. “Officers observed open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle.”
In addition, police said that Johnson was unable to stand without help and gave breath samples of 0.245 and 0.236 — just under three times the legal limit.
In footage released by the department, one officer is heard asking Johnson to keep his eyes on the officer’s finger.
“That’s where I’ve always had a problem with my— my EFD,” Johnson replies. “It’s hard to actually follow.”
“What is your EFD?” the officer asks.
“Hyper-apnent… Hyper (unintelligble) — bleh…” Johnson states.
“One of those…” the officer says aloud. “Alright. Um. We do believe you’re impaired.”
Johnson also admitted to drinking earlier in the night, and it turned out he had prior convictions for DUI and a suspended license, the release says.
As a result, Johnson was arrested, and his car was towed from the scene. He now faces charges of DUI and driving with his license suspended (DWLS), though he was released shortly thereafter on bond of $15,000.
“Our officers acted quickly and decisively to stop this vehicle before someone was seriously hurt,” Police Chief Steve Hunt said. “Driving into oncoming traffic is extremely dangerous, and their fast response prevented what could have been a tragic outcome for innocent drivers.”
Police also released body-camera footage of the encounter, which can be viewed at the top of this story.
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