POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida Department of Corrections officer was arrested on Saturday after crashing his vehicle into a subdivision sign while allegedly driving under the influence.
Dylan Kennedy, 28, of Winter Haven now faces charges of DUI and DUI with property damage following the incident at the entrance of the Bridgeport Lakes subdivision in Mulberry.
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Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene after receiving an automated crash alert from the Emergency Communications Center. Upon arrival, deputies found Kennedy in his vehicle, which had collided with the subdivision’s exit sign.
Kennedy reportedly displayed significant signs of impairment during field sobriety tests conducted by the PCSO Traffic Unit. Breathalyzer tests revealed blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of 0.137 and 0.139 g/L—nearly double the legal limit.
Kennedy admitted to consuming five shots of alcohol at a party in the subdivision and expressed concern that the arrest would cost him his job at Hardee Correctional Institution.
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“Dylan Kennedy was arrested for driving under the influence with a significantly high blood alcohol level. This reckless behavior is unacceptable and puts our community at risk,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Not only did he choose to drive intoxicated, but he hit a sign, which could just as easily have been a person.”
Kennedy was charged with misdemeanor DUI and DUI with property damage.
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