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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Wrong-way Citrus Springs driver popped for DUI and drugs in Dunnellon

Brandon Robert Parrish

A Citrus Springs man was arrested on DUI and drug charges after a traffic stop in Dunnellon.

Brandon Robert Parrish, 31, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of heroin, and possession of drug equipment after being pulled over shortly on W Hwy. 40.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies received a report of a gray car traveling westbound on Hwy. 40 that was driving in the wrong lane at 10 mph. They found the vehicle traveling west in the eastbound lane with its right-hand turn signal on the entire time. The vehicle weaved into the westbound lane and back into the eastbound lane twice before deputies initiated the traffic stop, according to the sheriff’s office report.

A deputy made contact with Parrish, who cracked the window open a small amount. Parrish seemed confused and took several seconds to respond to the deputy’s commands. The deputy observed an open container of hard apple cider in the vehicle that Parrish admitted was alcohol. When asked for his ID, Parrish said his wife had the card, the report said.

Parrish’s speech was mumbled and his eyes were noticeably bloodshot and watery. He agreed to perform a series of field sobriety tests, which he failed. He was placed under arrest and placed in the patrol car, according to the report.

A search of Parrish’s vehicle turned up a syringe containing a liquid that tested positive for heroin. The deputy also found another empty syringe, a spoon, and a small piece of foil with a white reside, the report said.

A breath test at the Marion County Jail came back with a result of .000 breath-alcohol content. Parrish was asked to submit to a urine and he initially agreed, but he refused when it was time to provide the sample. He was released on $4,000 bond.