19-05-2025
Man arrested for drunk driving with child in car on I-4: FHP
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was arrested Saturday and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and child neglect after fleeing an attempted traffic stop with his 8-year-old nephew in the car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said two troopers were conducting a routine traffic stop near mile marker 35 on Interstate 4 when they observed a white SUV driving in a 'reckless manner.'
The troopers said they signaled for the driver, identified as Daniel Ira Niles Alvarez, 31, to switch lanes, but he ignored them and instead accelerated.
An arrest report said Alvarez began passing other vehicles on the left shoulder and weaving abruptly into lanes before stopping at mile marker 33.
When troopers approached Alvarez, they said he was slow to respond and had glassy eyes. A strong odor of alcohol was also detected.
Troopers observed a wet stain on Alvarez's pants and noted that he had difficulty walking when asked to exit the vehicle.
Seated in the front passenger seat was Alvarez's 8-year-old nephew, according to the report.
FHP said troopers searched the vehicle and found an unsealed yellow can with a red cap in the driver's side door, along with multiple open beer cans labeled 'Coors Banquet' on the rear floorboards.
Alvarez agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, which troopers said he performed poorly.
He was taken into custody and transported to jail, where breath tests showed blood alcohol levels of 0.143 and 0.145, nearly twice the legal limit in Florida.
FHP arrested Alvarez and charged him with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and child neglect.
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