A man in Lakeland, Florida, was taken into custody on Saturday, facing charges of DUI, reckless driving, and child neglect. The arrest followed his attempt to evade a traffic stop while having his 8-year-old nephew in the vehicle, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to FHP, the episode unfolded when two troopers were performing a standard traffic stop close to mile marker 35 on Interstate 4. During this time, they noticed a white SUV being driven erratically.
The officers attempted to pull over the driver, Daniel Ira Niles Alvarez, 31, instructing him to change lanes. Instead of complying, Alvarez sped up and attempted to flee.
An arrest report said Alvarez began passing other vehicles on the left shoulder and weaving abruptly into lanes before stopping at mile marker 33.
When troopers approached Alvarez, they said he was slow to respond and had glassy eyes. A strong odor of alcohol was also detected.
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Credit: Florida Highway Patrol -
Credit: Florida Highway Patrol -
Credit: Florida Highway Patrol
Troopers observed a wet stain on Alvarez’s pants and noted that he had difficulty walking when asked to exit the vehicle.
Seated in the front passenger seat was Alvarez’s 8-year-old nephew, according to the report.
FHP said troopers searched the vehicle and found an unsealed yellow can with a red cap in the driver’s side door, along with multiple open beer cans labeled “Coors Banquet” on the rear floorboards.
Alvarez agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, which troopers said he performed poorly.
He was taken into custody and transported to jail, where breath tests showed blood alcohol levels of 0.143 and 0.145, nearly twice the legal limit in Florida.
FHP arrested Alvarez and charged him with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and child neglect.
