A Lakeland man faces multiple charges, including DUI and attempting to elude law enforcement, after an erratic encounter with a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy Thursday evening.
At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5th, Deputy Ford initiated a traffic stop on a Chevy pickup truck near the intersection of Kathleen Road and Strickland Road in Lakeland. The stop was prompted after the pickup truck reportedly nearly collided with Deputy Ford’s patrol vehicle.
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Upon making contact with the driver, identified as 38-year-old Christopher Welch of Lakeland, Deputy Ford observed an open pizza box on the passenger seat and noted crumbs on Welch’s face.
According to the arrest report, Welch immediately stated, “Listen, I need to go home.” When Deputy Ford requested his driver’s license, Welch, speaking with slurred speech, responded, “Just let me go home, I live down the road.”
Deputy Ford then inquired if Welch had consumed any alcoholic beverages. Welch admitted, “I had three beers, but come on man, just let me go home.”
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Despite the deputy’s presence, Welch then put his vehicle in motion, driving over a curb, across the sidewalk, and coming to a stop in the grass. Deputy Ford pursued on foot. When the deputy reached him, Welch reportedly said, “I’m sorry, I was just trying to get home.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office subsequently arrested Christopher Welch, and he is charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Attempting to Elude, and Resisting an Officer without Violence. Welch’s breath alcohol content was recorded at .234 g/210L, nearly three times the legal limit of .08.
Welch was transported to the Polk County Jail and did not return home Thursday night.
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