A 41-year-old man with several prior DUI convictions was arrested with an unopened case of Twisted Tea and a cold, empty can in his car’s cupholder after a deputy allegedly witnessed him swerve over the center line, use the wrong turn signal, and flee from a traffic stop.
On Sunday, August 18, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a red Ford SUV that was drifting over the center line while traveling northbound on SE 170th Avenue. The driver, later identified as Bryan Thomas Bennett, then activated the SUV’s right turn signal before making a left turn, according to the arrest report.
The deputy suspected that Bennett was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and a traffic stop was attempted on the SUV in the 16900 block of E Fort King Street in Silver Springs. Instead of pulling over, the report stated that the SUV turned onto NE 169th Avenue and began heading eastbound.
A vehicle pursuit was initiated by the deputy, which came to an end when Bennett’s SUV stopped in front of a residence located in the 16900 block of NE 2nd Street Road, according to the report.
The deputy noted that Bennett proceeded to exit the vehicle while holding his cellphone. He allegedly refused to “show (the deputy) his hands” and claimed that he was “calling his lawyer.” The report stated that the deputy utilized a Taser to “gain compliance from (Bennett),” and he was detained in handcuffs.
During an interior search of Bennett’s SUV, the deputy allegedly located an unopened case of Twisted Teas behind the driver’s seat, and a “cold empty Twisted Tea can” was observed in the center console. In the report, the deputy wrote that Bennett’s breath had a “strong odor of (an) alcoholic beverage,” and he also allegedly had “red and watery” eyes and slurred speech.
Bennett was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he refused to take part in field sobriety exercises. He further refused to provide a breath sample, according to the report.
A criminal history search of Bennett revealed that he was previously adjudicated guilty for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2006 (Bartow County), 2007 (Cobb County), and 2009 (Bartow County).
Bennett was released from Marion County Jail on Sunday afternoon after posting a $13,500 bond. He is being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (fourth or subsequent offense), fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer without violence.
On Tuesday, September 17, Bennett is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.