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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man apologizes over and over after DUI arrest

Eric Alverez Williams

An Ocala man charged with DUI changed his story about how much he had to drink and then continuously apologized while on his way to jail early Sunday.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m., a Marion County sheriff’s deputy observed a silver Mazda SUV driven by Eric Alverez Williams, 50, of 2200 NE 78th St., traveling above the speed limit on SW Highway 484. Using radar, the deputy measured Williams going 70 mph in a 45-mph zone, according to the sheriff’s office report.

Before the deputy could initiate a traffic stop, Williams stopped in the middle of the road in the 890 block of Marion Oaks Manor and got out of the vehicle. Williams stumbled as he exited the vehicle and the deputy asked him to get back inside, the report said.

The deputy smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Williams and observed his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Williams was continuously saying he had to urinate and made multiple attempts to get out of the vehicle. He said he had “1 Smirnoff 12 ounce” alcoholic beverage earlier in the day, according to the report.

Another deputy responded to the scene to complete the investigation and confirmed the first deputy’s observations about Williams’ speech, appearance and the strong smell of alcohol. Williams failed a series of field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest. An inventory search of his vehicle turned up four large cans of cold Bud Light beer, a small empty bottle of a pre-mixed margarita drink, and a half-full bottle of Crown Canadian Whiskey, the report said.

During the ride to the Marion County Jail, Williams changed his story and said he had consumed a “four-pack,” a few “shots,” and a Smirnoff earlier in the day when his wife left, which was about 10 a.m. Saturday. The inside of the patrol vehicle smelled strong of alcohol during the ride, according to the report.

Once at the jail, Williams provided breath samples that returned readings of .163, .161 and .150. After being read his Miranda warning, he said he didn’t want to speak with the deputy, the report said.

Williams was released later in the day on $1,000 bond.