HAINES CITY, Fla. – A Dundee man was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) early Sunday morning after crashing his pickup truck into a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) patrol car.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:50 a.m. in front of Miracle Toyota on US 27 in Haines City. A PCSO deputy had stopped to assist with a disabled vehicle and had activated the patrol car’s emergency lights. While the deputy was seated inside the vehicle, a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck collided with the driver’s side of the patrol car.
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The driver of the Tacoma was identified as 53-year-old Justin Watkins of Dundee. According to deputies at the scene, Watkins exhibited signs of intoxication, including bloodshot, watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and unsteady balance.
Watkins was arrested on suspicion of DUI and transported to the Polk County Jail. Breath tests conducted at the jail revealed breath-alcohol content levels of 0.189g/210L and 0.192g/210L, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.08.
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Justin Watkins was charged with DUI with a breath-alcohol content higher than 0.15, DUI with property damage, and possession of more than one Florida driver’s license.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the collision.
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