POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Davenport resident is being credited for preventing a drunk driver from fleeing the scene of a crash on Wednesday evening. Around 6:00 p.m. on March 4, a man identified by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as Luis witnessed a black 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee collide with an empty, parked 2025 Toyota Camry in an apartment complex parking lot off Buckingham Drive.
Upon seeing the driver exit the Jeep, Luis noticed signs of intoxication and acted to keep the individual at the location.
Despite the driver’s repeated attempts to leave the area, Luis maintained contact and prevented him from leaving until law enforcement could arrive. A deputy arrived on scene within four minutes to begin an investigation.
The driver was identified as 66-year-old Raul Lara of New Britain, Connecticut.
According to the responding deputy, Lara struggled to maintain his balance and was unable to complete Field Sobriety Tests due to his level of impairment.
Lara was subsequently arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. Breathalyzer results showed blood alcohol content levels of .229 and .226, nearly three times the legal limit of .08.
Lara faces charges of DUI with Property Damage and DUI with a BAC over .15. In a statement regarding the incident, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office noted that Luis’ intervention prevented the driver from potentially causing further accidents or escaping identification, calling the intervention an “outstanding outcome.”
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