Man arrested for DUI

A 31-year-old Summerland Key man driving a pickup truck that was pulling a trailered boat was arrested Thursday night for DUI after striking a gas station sign

Christopher Lee Vazquez was charged with DUI, DUI causing property damage and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Deputy Ryan Chlebanowski responded to the Shell gas station, 24838 Overseas Highway, Summerland Key, at 6:17 p.m. after a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Lt. Roy Pane reported a white Chevrolet pickup truck towing a boat on a trailer struck a gas station sign with the trailer. The vehicle was also dragging two trash cans stuck underneath it. Lt. Payne stated he was flagged down by a motorists shortly before who stated the pickup driver appeared to be impaired. Lt. Payne did not contact the driver, but observed the truck prior to Deputy Chlebanowksi’s arrival.

Deputy Chlebanowski approached the pickup truck’s open driver’s side door. Deputy Chlebanowski immediately noticed the driver appeared dazed and his movements were slow. The driver was speaking on a cell phone and had food in his other hand. The driver did not appear to notice Deputy Chlebanowski until Deputy Chlebanowski was very near him. The driver was identified as Vazquez. Deputy Chlebanowski immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol. When Deputy Chlebanowski asked what happened, Vazquez stated nothing happened and that a family member was en route. Vazquez’s eyes were watery and bloodshot. Deputy Chlebanowski ordered Vazquez out of the truck and Vazquez attempted to walk while still with holding food and struggling for balance.

Vazquez was uncooperative and refused to speak to Deputy Chlebanowski about the crash, which caused about $100 damage to the gas station sign. Deputy Chlebanowski was not able to determine who owned the damaged trash cans stuck underneath the vehicle. When Deputy Chlebanowski informed Vazquez that he was performing a DUI investigation and started reading Vazquez his Miranda Rights, Vazquez stated he didn’t care about his Miranda Rights. Vazquez then struck Deputy Chlebanowksi’s hand, which was holding a card containing all the Miranda Rights that officers carry on duty. Vazquez continued to say he didn’t care about his rights.

Vazquez was taken to jail.

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