STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A Stuart police officer narrowly avoided a head-on collision early Wednesday morning after encountering a wrong-way driver on SE Ocean Boulevard, according to the Stuart Police Department.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m., Corporal Corey Lee was traveling along SE Ocean Boulevard when a vehicle came toward him in the wrong direction, forcing the officer to take evasive action to prevent a crash. Corporal Lee immediately made a U-turn and attempted to stop the vehicle by activating his emergency lights and siren.

The driver, however, failed to stop and continued driving into the town of Sewall’s Point. After the vehicle was eventually stopped, the driver showed clear signs of impairment, police said.

See also: $3.5K in Magic: The Gathering cards stolen from locked GameStop cases with employee device

The driver was identified as Conlan Moran of Hobe Sound. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, and possession of a fictitious driver’s license.

Police arrested Conlan Moran of Hobe Sound after he drove the wrong way on SE Ocean Boulevard just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, nearly causing a head‑on collision and later facing charges including DUI, fleeing and eluding, and possession of a fictitious driver’s license. (Stuart Police Department)

Police arrested Conlan Moran of Hobe Sound after he drove the wrong way on SE Ocean Boulevard just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, nearly causing a head‑on collision and later facing charges including DUI, fleeing and eluding, and possession of a fictitious driver’s license. (Stuart Police Department)

Police say the incident underscores the serious danger posed by impaired driving, particularly incidents involving wrong-way travel, which can quickly turn deadly. Officers continue to urge drivers to make safe choices and use available alternatives to get home, noting there is no excuse to drink and drive.