Florida Man’s Arrest Raises DUI Concerns

A 76-year-old man in Florida, Charles Ducking, was arrested during a traffic stop after allegedly admitting to both drinking rum and recently using cocaine. This incident occurred four months after his last DUI arrest. Authorities in Polk County observed Ducking driving erratically on U.S. Highway 27, which prompted the deputy to pull him over.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that the deputy detected alcohol on Ducking’s breath, noticed his slurred speech and watery eyes, and learned that Ducking’s driver’s license was suspended due to a prior DUI.

“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,” Ducking allegedly told the deputy.

Ducking then showed the deputy a silver thermal cup containing rum, which he admitted to drinking at the time. During the search of his vehicle, deputies found a small container with cocaine. Ducking allegedly confessed that he had consumed cocaine shortly before being stopped.

Deputies conducted field sobriety tests and measured Ducking’s blood alcohol concentration at .094 and .095, above Florida’s legal limit of .08. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed concern over Ducking’s repeated offenses, stating, “He is lucky he hasn’t yet killed someone or himself while driving drunk and high on drugs.” Judd praised the deputies for their proactive efforts in removing impaired drivers from the road.

Ducking was arrested and charged with multiple offenses: DUI (fourth or subsequent offense), possession of cocaine, driving with a suspended license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Records show Ducking was previously arrested for DUI in May and released on bond with conditions prohibiting alcohol consumption. He has been arrested nine other times in Polk County since 2001, with multiple DUI arrests in his record.