[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / felixmizioznikov]
[Original Publish Date: 10/28/19]
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EUSTIS, Florida- A South Florida man with 17 active driver license suspensions was arrested on several charges, including DUI, after causing a crash Friday night.
Christian Ariel Lopez, 26, was spotted by Lake EMS personnel passing cars on a double line, including the ambulance, before the crash occurred. He continued speeding westbound on State Road 44 until he crashed into another vehicle. He was seen exiting the driver’s side of silver Hyundai while a female exited the passenger side.
The female told deputies she had been at the beach and “had too much to drink, “according to the arrest affidavit. She went on to tell deputies Lopez was driving and she knew he did not have a driver license. She had a seatbelt burn on her right shoulder consistent with being on the passenger side, while Lopez had burn marks on his left side.
While deputies questioned Lopez, he attempted to smoke the wrong end of an unlit cigarette. He was given field sobriety tests and refused to provide a breath sample, according to the affidavit. Deputies determined he was intoxicated and placed him under arrest. Upon running his driver license history, deputies found he had a total of 17 active suspensions, including several failures to pay financial obligations and traffic citations, and five failures to appear.
In this incident, Lopez was charged with DUI with property damage, driving while license suspended fourth offense, DUI with injuries and DUI first offense. He was released from the Lake County Jail Saturday, on $32,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
