A 76-year-old man from Lake Wales, Florida, was arrested for driving under the influence after allegedly admitting to drinking rum and using cocaine during a traffic stop. Charles Ducking was pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy on US Highway 27 in Waverly after being observed swerving. The deputy noted the smell of alcohol and observed Ducking's slurred speech and watery eyes.
When asked for his driver’s license, Ducking stated it was suspended due to a prior DUI. He reportedly acknowledged having been drinking, saying, "Well, I can’t show you my driver’s license cuz it’s suspended cuz DUI. And I have been drinking a little bit right now." He then showed the deputy a silver thermal cup containing a brown liquid, claiming it was rum.
A traffic deputy recognized Ducking from a previous DUI arrest in May. During a search of his vehicle, deputies found a small orange container with cocaine, which led Ducking to admit he had used the drug shortly before being stopped. Field sobriety tests indicated impairment, and breath tests showed blood alcohol concentration readings of .094 and .095, exceeding Florida’s legal limit of .08.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented on the incident, stating that Ducking is fortunate he has not harmed anyone while driving under the influence. Ducking was arrested and charged with DUI (fourth or subsequent offense), possession of cocaine, driving with a suspended license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He had been previously arrested for DUI in May and had conditions of release prohibiting alcohol consumption. Ducking has a total of nine prior arrests in Polk County since 2001, including multiple DUI charges.