Drivers in Florida got quite the surprise when police pulled over an intoxicated man behind the wheel of a lawn mower on a busy highway. The incident occurred on Suncoast Parkway around 8:30 a.m. on a Friday, with multiple calls flooding into the Florida Highway Patrol about the erratic behavior of the man on the lawn mower.
Upon arrival, a trooper found Christopher Spain, 38, sitting on the mower on the shoulder of the highway. Spain exhibited signs of impairment, including pinpoint pupils, flushed skin, a dry mouth, and irritation inside his nose. He also displayed unusual behavior such as sniffling, spitting, and clearing his throat while speaking with the officer.
The trooper attempted to conduct a field sobriety test on Spain multiple times, but he became uncooperative after the third attempt. As a result, Spain was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. He was booked into the Hernando County Jail and later released on $500 bond.
This isn’t the first instance of a Floridian being charged with a DUI while operating a lawn mower. In 2020, Paul Burke was arrested while driving a riding lawn mower in Marion County. Burke, who had three previous DUI convictions, admitted to having been drinking and refused to perform field sobriety tests before being taken into custody.
Another similar incident involved Kenneth Burton Alleshouse, who was pulled over by Port St. Lucie Police while riding his lawn mower down US Highway 1 with a case of Budweiser beer. Alleshouse’s blood alcohol level was found to be three times above the legal limit, resulting in his arrest for DUI.
Under Florida law, a “vehicle” is defined as any device that can transport or be drawn by a person on a highway, including lawn mowers. The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers operating any vehicle, including lawn mowers, is .08%.
These cases serve as a reminder that driving under the influence, whether in a car or on a lawn mower, is a serious offense with legal consequences. It’s essential for all drivers to prioritize safety and responsibility when operating any type of vehicle on the road.
