Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
The Washington Times has a brief blurb on a drunk man and his 15 minutes of fame as he crashed into Rod Stewart‘s Palm Beach home’s mailbox…
A Niceville, Florida man was charged with driving under the influence with property damage after he crashed his Toyota into singer Rod Stewart’s Palm Beach home. The only casualty was the “Do you think I’m sexy” crooner’s mailbox.
37-year-old Michael Hutson Lutz was pulled over by the Palm Beach police shortly before 8:00 p.m. when the officer noticed his vehicle weaving on the road and crossing the center lane. As he pulled over for the police, his car struck Stewart’s mailbox along South Ocean Boulevard. Mr. Lutz’s night only went down from there.
When asked for his driver’s license, the defendant gave the cop his credit card. The arrest report noted that the man had bloodshot, watery eyes, a “distinct odor of alcohol on him” and spoke with a heavily slurred speech.
The officer called in the DUI squad and Michael performed and failed five separate “Field Sobriety Exercises”. These included the “walk and turn”, “finger-to-nose” and “one leg stand”.
The impaired suspect was arrested and per the police report he made “several inappropriate statements” on the way to the police station. He was booked in and was offered a breathalyzer. He blew almost three times the legal limit of a .08!
As far as the innocent mailbox, the Palm Beach Police Department estimated damage in the amount of $500. Being that Rod Stewart is worth between 25-100 million dollars (at least), it is safe to say that the mailbox will be replaced.
At the time of this writing, Michael Lutz was unavailable for comment and his criminal defense attorney declined to make a statement. It was unclear if the defendant had any prior DUIs but his driving record showed traffic infractions for speeding, running a stop sign and others.
Have you or a loved one been arrested for a DUI or disorderly conduct? Then call the Pinellas DUI defense attorneys of Blake & Dorsten, P.A. today! These former prosecutors are experienced trial attorneys.
The lawyers of Blake & Dorsten, P.A. handle all criminal and car accident cases along the Gulf Coast of Florida including Pinellas (including Saint Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Seminole and more), Hillsborough (includes Tampa Bay, Brandon and more), Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk and Citrus counties.
To speak directly to your Clearwater criminal defense lawyer, click on the contact button or call 727.286.6141. Blake & Dorsten, P.A…when your case matters!