Man found unresponsive in car, arrested with BAC over 6 times the legal limit: HCPD
HAINES CITY, Fla. - The Haines City Police Department arrested a man for alleged drunk driving after he was found unresponsive in his car with a blood alcohol level of .523 on Jan. 7.
What we know
Police say they found Miguel Rodriguez in the area of Davenport Blvd. in Haines City with the engine running, his foot on the brake and the car in gear.
Courtesy: Haines City Police Department.
Officer Sean Bruner responded after a concerned citizen called 911 regarding the unresponsive driver.
After safely securing the vehicle, Bruner said he found 12 empty wine bottles inside.
Bruner said Rodriguez was in and out of consciousness and unaware of the events unfolding.
READ: Testimony begins in trial of Florida grandmother charged in baby's hot car death
Emergency medical personnel took Rodriguez to the hospital, where tests confirmed the dangerously high alcohol levels in his system.
Police Chief Greg Goreck said he was blown away by the level in Rodriguez' system. Saying that in his nearly 30 years in law enforcement, this was the highest alcohol level he remembers seeing where the driver was still alive.
"This incident underscores the serious dangers of driving under the influence. We are grateful for the citizen who contacted law enforcement and that no one was injured," said Goreck. "We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers and will hold Mr. Rodriguez accountable for his actions."
READ: Tampa daycare worker arrested for child abuse: HCSO
Charges and criminal history
Rodrigues is charged with driving under the influence and does not have any prior DUI arrests.
He does have a history of miscellaneous traffic citations.
The Source: Information for this story came from the Haines City Police Department.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter