LADY LAKE, Fla. \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cCallers reported a red Ford passenger car swerving, crossing lanes and nearly striking other vehicles,\u201d the release reads.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Christopher Johnson, 44, of Wildwood (Lake County Jail)<\/p>\n
\u201c(He) showed signs of heavy impairment and could not stand on his own,\u201d the release continues. \u201cOfficers observed open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, police said that Johnson was unable to stand without help and gave breath samples of 0.245 and 0.236 \u2014 just under three times the legal limit.<\/p>\n
In footage released by the department, one officer is heard asking Johnson to keep his eyes on the officer\u2019s finger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where I\u2019ve always had a problem with my\u2014 my EFD,” Johnson replies. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to actually follow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is your EFD?\u201d the officer asks.<\/p>\n
\u201cHyper-apnent… Hyper (unintelligble) \u2014 bleh…\u201d Johnson states. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of those…\u201d the officer says aloud. \u201cAlright. Um. We do believe you\u2019re impaired.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur officers acted quickly and decisively to stop this vehicle before someone was seriously hurt,\u201d Police Chief Steve Hunt said. \u201cDriving into oncoming traffic is extremely dangerous, and their fast response prevented what could have been a tragic outcome for innocent drivers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police also released body-camera footage of the encounter, which can be viewed at the top of this story.<\/p>\n
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