A Villager from Illinois was detained for allegedly fleeing the scene of a mishap in Fruitland Park while driving under the influence.
Michael George Adams, 69, of the Village of Buttonwood, was arrested Thursday on charges of leaving the scene of an accident without providing information and driving under the influence.
According to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department, officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Road 25 and North County Road 25A around 9:30 p.m. When cops arrived, they discovered a black Buick with extensive front-end damage. The second car involved had left the site.
A witness told investigators that the offender, named only as “Michael,” ran a red light to make a northbound left turn, resulting in the crash. The witness stated that they had just left the Hilltop Bar in Fruitland Park and were on their way to Applebee’s in Lady Lake.
The witness called the suspect and informed him that he had run the red light, to which he allegedly responded, “I know.”
Officers from the Lady Lake Police Department found Adams’ vehicle, a brown Hyundai with substantial driver-side damage, driving northbound near the intersection of State Road 25 and Rolling Acres Road.
According to the report, authorities saw the car quickly swerve across three lanes. As it approached the special bike lane, the vehicle slowed dramatically. The driver apparently put the car in park while it was still moving before coming to a complete stop.
Fruitland Park police officers responded to the scene to complete the investigation. After being read his Miranda rights, Adams refused to speak with police about the crash. A passenger in Adams’ vehicle confirmed that they were leaving the Hilltop Bar. The witness did not understand why Adams continued driving after the accident.
When Adams arrived at the jail, he rejected to engage in field sobriety exercises, saying authorities, “I don’t think that will be necessary.” However, he agreed to give a breath sample.
The Illinois native was booked into Lake County Jail and freed after posting a $4,000 bond.
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