WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A 20-year-old Winter Haven man, Manuel Gonzales, Jr., was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office early Sunday, following a tumultuous series of events that began at a local lounge and ended with his vehicle in a neighboring town.
Gonzales faces charges including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Reckless Driving, and Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.
The incident unfolded around 2:45 a.m. as Gonzales exited the El Rodeo Lounge, located off Recker Highway in Winter Haven. According to deputies at the scene, Gonzales was visibly belligerent and appeared to be heavily intoxicated.
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A deputy told Gonzales that leaving the premises would be in his best interest. Subsequently, Gonzales’s cousin provided him with transportation away from the lounge.
However, as deputies remained in the parking lot to maintain order among the dispersing crowd, a red 1999 Ford pickup truck reportedly sped onto the property, its tires squealing, before quickly speeding off again. Deputies identified the driver as Manuel Gonzales, Jr.
Due to being on foot, the deputies in the parking lot immediately radioed the details of Gonzales’s alleged dangerous driving to other units in the area.
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A short time later, a deputy located the red Ford pickup truck in the nearby town of Eagle Lake. Gonzales was reportedly still in the driver’s seat, attempting to restart the vehicle. Deputies say that Gonzales exhibited slurred speech, staggered when he walked, and had bloodshot eyes.
When asked to perform a Field Sobriety Test, Gonzales refused. He was then arrested for reckless driving and on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Upon arrival at the Polk County Jail, Gonzales attempted to provide a breath sample but vomited during the process.
He subsequently refused to provide a breath sample. Further investigation at the time of his arrest also led to charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
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