Drunk driving suspect struggles during field sobriety exercises in church parking lot

A driver suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence was arrested after participating in field sobriety exercises in the parking lot of a church in The Villages.

Sebastian Guzman Lopez, 28, of Summerfield, was driving a gray Toyota truck in the early hours of Monday on U.S. Highway. 27/441 when an officer from the Fruitland Park Police Department contacted the Lady Lake Police Department to advise them that a an unpredictable driver was heading into the city’s jurisdiction.

A Lady Lake police officer stood behind the truck and watched as the driver ran a red light on US Hwy. 27/441 and Boone Court. During a traffic stop, the officer detected signs that Guzman Lopez had been drinking. He said he went to a friend’s house where he drank two beers, but did not feel intoxicated.

They moved to nearby St. Timothy Catholic Church for field sobriety exercises. The Guatemala native had difficulty doing the exercises. He provided breath samples showing blood alcohol levels of 0.021 and 0.022. He also provided a urine sample.

Guzman Lopez was arrested for driving under the influence and ticketed for running a red light. He was booked into the Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,000 bond.