Hernando County Sheriff’s Office HCSO) deputies arrested an allegedly impaired driver, but not before he caused a multi-vehicle crash in Spring Hill.
According to HCSO Deputy Public Relations Officer (PIO) Michael Terry, HCSO deputies arrived at the scene of a multi-vehicle collision near the intersection of Spring Hill Drive and Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill around 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 28.
There, witnesses said that a driver, later identified as Jonathan Pudelek, 43, was driving recklessly when his vehicle rear-ended another vehicle that was waiting for the traffic light at the intersection of Spring Hill Drive and Mariner Boulevard to turn green.
When Pudelek attempted to drive away from the scene of that collision, his vehicle struck another before running a red light and continuing toward the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy, witnesses said. There, Pudelek’s vehicle jumped the curb, collided with a pair of guide wires connected to a utility pole, and struck three vehicles parked in the lot.
When deputies caught up with him, Pudelek, who appeared to be impaired, told investigators that he had used methamphetamine several hours prior to the crash.
During a search of his vehicle, deputies found a glass pipe with trace amounts of methamphetamine.
Pudelek was subsequently arrested and booked into the Hernando County Detention Center on charges of driving under the influence (DUI), leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, driving without a Florida driver’s license, reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He remains at the Hernando County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of bond.
