MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of a suspected impaired driver after concerned citizens reported a vehicle failing to maintain its lane along North Highway 441.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), deputies responded to the 11700 block of North Highway 441 after a caller reported seeing a driver appearing to fall asleep at the wheel. Deputies Latham and McEldowney located the suspect vehicle, which they say was stationary at a stop sign for approximately five minutes before proceeding to drive erratically.
Deputies initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as James Wilgor. Deputies say that Wilgor exhibited watery eyes and slurred speech, prompting them to conduct Field Sobriety Exercises. Following the assessment, Wilgor was placed under arrest.
MCSO says that a search of his vehicle revealed two bottles of vodka—one empty and one nearly empty. Wilgor was transported to the Marion County detention facility, where he they say he refused to provide a breath sample.
Authorities confirmed that Wilgor has two prior DUI convictions in Ohio.