Port Charlotte man admits drunk driving, dances during sobriety test before arrest

A Port Charlotte man was arrested Saturday night after deputies say he drove recklessly, admitted he was drunk and danced around during a sobriety test.

At around 9:15 pm, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a reckless, possibly impaired driver. Deputies found a black BMW where the caller said they would, and they say the driver struggled to maintain lanes and randomly sped up and slowed down.

The BMW continued on for several seconds even after deputies turned on their emergency lights to stop it before finally pulling over. Deputies say Jesus Marquez, 60, had bloodshot and watery eyes and was mumbling and slurring his words.

When asked if he had any alcohol to drink that evening, Marquez said he had been drinking “too many” before saying he was drunk. He could not maintain his balance while talking to the deputies and rested on the BMW for stability. When Marquez was asked to complete field sobriety exercises, he performed poorly on all of them, and he began to dance in place and then up and down the line during the “walk and turn” exercise.

Marquez was placed under arrest and transported to the Charlotte County Jail, vomiting in the patrol car and on himself on the way. When Marquez arrived, he became belligerent and refused to provide a breath sample.

Marquez is currently out on bond in the amount of $1500.00. He faces a charge of driving under the influence.