A Citra man was charged with operating a motor vehicle without a valid license after being pulled over for driving erratically in in Silver Springs.
While on patrol Monday evening, a Marion County sheriff’s deputy observed a gray Chevrolet SUV traveling at a slow speed northbound on NE 36th Street. The deputy got behind the vehicle and paced it at 27 mph in a 45-mph zone. The vehicle then swerved several times from the double yellow lines to the white fog lines at varying speeds before leaving the road and driving onto the grass, according to the sheriff’s office report.
Fearing for the safety and health of the driver, and due to the possibility of the driver being intoxicated, the deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with 34-year-old Timmy Lee Harris, of 2665 NW 134th St. The deputy smelled alcohol on Harris’ breath and asked if he had been drinking, and Harris replied he had been drinking beer, the report said.
When asked to produce his driver’s license, Harris said he did not have on and had never possessed one. A records search confirmed he only has ever been issued an identification card. Although Harris admitted to consuming beer, he passed several field-sobriety exercises and the deputy determined there was not probable cause to charge him with driving under the influence, according to the report.
Harris was taken to the Marion County Jail, where his bond was deferred and he was released Tuesday. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Nov. 13.