A Leesburg man was taken into custody for drunk driving after asserting that he had only consumed a couple of beers during a traffic stop for exceeding the speed limit.

According to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed the driver of a white Chevrolet pickup, later identified as 27-year-old Luis Adolfo Rodriguez, speeding towards County Road 44 around 10:18 p.m. on Saturday. The radar indicated that Rodriguez was traveling at 84 mph in a 55-mph zone.

Subsequently, the deputy attempted to catch up to the speeding pickup as it turned onto County Road 44 towards Emeralda Avenue. Activating emergency lights, the deputy conducted a traffic stop, initiating a conversation with the driver, Rodriguez.

Upon approaching Rodriguez, the deputy noticed bloodshot and glassy eyes, prompting him to make a phone call while the officer attempted to engage in conversation. The deputy detected the odor of alcohol emanating from Rodriguez as he spoke.

Rodriguez presented his license, at which point the deputy explained the reason for the stop. Despite this, Rodriguez became confrontational and uncooperative. Although Rodriguez denied driving at such excessive speeds, his behavior necessitated detainment for safety reasons, as stated in the report.

Concerned about Rodriguez’s condition, the deputy escorted him to the side of the road for safety, subsequently requesting his participation in field sobriety exercises. Initially refusing, Rodriguez later agreed after the deputy explained that refusal could result in a DUI arrest. Rodriguez insisted that he had consumed only a small quantity of alcohol, specifically “two beers” earlier in the evening, asserting his sobriety.

Based on Rodriguez’s performance during the exercises, the deputy concluded that he was indeed operating the vehicle under the influence. Consequently, Rodriguez was taken into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail. During transit, Rodriguez directed verbally aggressive behavior towards the deputies, resorting to cursing and racial slurs. Additionally, he refused to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample, according to the report.

Following these events, Rodriguez has been charged with DUI and cited for speeding. He was subsequently released from jail after posting a bail amounting to $1,000.