TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A man whose driver's license has been suspended for almost 20 years was arrested for DUI after crashing into a utility pole.
Bobby Hitchcock, 61, was arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department for a DUI as well as a hit and run with damage to unattended property.
On March 8 around 3:23 p.m., officers arrived at a traffic crash at the intersection of Lake Bradford Road and Gamble Street.
A tow truck driver with Professional Park Services (PPS) said he followed Hitchcock as he walked away from the car. The driver followed Hitchcock from Gamble to Gene Street before officers talked to him.
Based on the crash scene, officers determined that Hitchcock's car failed to stay on Gamble Street and drove off the road, hitting a utility pole.
Hitchcock initially told investigating officers that he crashed his "boss man's" car.
Documents say the car belonged to a man with a business on Still Court Road. When contacted, the man confirmed Hitchcock worked for him as a mechanic.
While being interviewed, officers saw that Hitchcock was intoxicated and having difficulty standing. The police report states that Hitchcock's eyes were bloodshot, watery, and glassy. It also says that his speech was slurred and there was an odor of alcohol coming from his breath.
Hitchcock stated that the crashed car belongs to his boss. He denied driving the car because, "I'm not supposed to be driving anything."
Hitchcock told officers he no longer drives, however a criminal history check revealed he was out on bond for driving with a suspended license on March 1.
According to Hitchcock, he was going to a store at the intersection of Lake Bradford and Gamble Street. Next, he walked to the Circle K located on Lake Bradford Road and said he would be on video in the Circle K.
Hitchcock said the key is always kept in the ignition and it was possible someone else took the car.
When officers said they would view the video from the Circle K and said they didn't believe him, Hitchcock stated, "send me to prison."
Officers viewed the Circle K footage before the crash and Hitchcock was not seen on video.
He told officers he bought a beer from Circle K, but later stated he did not go into the store. Hitchcock said he was walking back from the Circle K when he saw his boss's car against the pole.
Hitchcock said he panicked and was going to walk back to his home, who he rents from his boss.
He couldn't explain why he didn't stop to speak to the PPS driver or ask him to call the police. Officers later saw that Hitchcock's boss contracts with PPS to tow vehicles.
Several times during the interview, Hitchcock said he was responsible for the crash. He told officers multiple times to put him in handcuffs.
Officers said Hitchcock eventually became uncooperative due to his intoxication level.
Hitchcock was then arrested for DUI and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. He was transported to Leon County Jail.
While at LCJ, Hitchcock refused to take a breath sample and was issued a DUI citation. He was also issued citations for driving with a suspended or revoked license, and hit and run with damage to unattended property.
An investigator revealed that Hitchcock's license has been revoked since Sept. 27, 1989 for a DUI in Mississippi.
His second conviction for DUI was on Sept. 10, 1992 in Mississippi and his third was in Alabama on Oct. 18, 1994. Another DUI conviction came in Louisiana on August 29, 1995. He also has a previous DWLSR conviction in Leon County from July 18, 2002.
Hitchcock is currently out on bond.
