Eagle faces DUI charge; says police report is not a ‘complete and accurate picture of the events’
A representative for Cape Coral in the Florida House is accused of driving under the influence.
Republican Rep. Dane Eagle, 30, was arrested Monday morning in Tallahassee and charged with one count of DUI, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. He was booked at the Leon County Jail.
As of Tuesday, Eagle had been released on $500 bond.
At about 1:50 a.m., an officer observed an SUV exit a Taco Bell, at 1506 Tennessee St., and appear to attempt to make a left turn, despite the presence of a raised concrete median. The driver, later identified as Eagle, appeared to recognize the median prior to hitting it and turned the SUV to the right instead.
An arrest report states that Eagle traveled westbound on Tennessee before stopping for a red light at Caliark Street in the left turn lane. The officer noticed that the SUV was “well past the stop bar.”
When the light turned green, Eagle made a U-turn and headed eastbound on Tennessee. Eagle reportedly almost struck the curb, then eventually struck the curb as he traveled along Tennessee.
The officer noted that Eagle was driving 45 mph in a 35 mph zone.
At Tennessee and Dewey Street, the SUV traveled through the intersection against a red light. According to the report, the traffic light had been red for several seconds and the vehicle’s brake lights did not come on. The officer activated the emergency lights and conducted a stop on the SUV.
Eagle pulled into a parking lot and a marked spot, where he reportedly struck the curb.
The officer made contact with Eagle, the sole occupant of the vehicle, and reported that there was a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the passenger compartment” of the SUV. When asked about running the red light, Eagle allegedly told the officer that he had thought the light was yellow.
The report states that a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage” was coming from Eagle’s breath, and his eyes were “bloodshot, watery and glassy.” Eagle denied consuming any alcoholic beverages.
Eagle was issued a citation for failure to obey a traffic control device.
When Eagle stepped out of the SUV, he reportedly stumbled and fell against the passenger door, and swayed front to back while standing in the parking lot. When asked about the odor of alcohol coming from him, Eagle reportedly stated that he had had friends in the SUV earlier and they were at the bar.
Eagle declined the field sobriety exercises, allegedly stating that he was “good to get home.”
He was taken into custody and transported to the jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample.
On Tuesday, Eagle addressed the allegations against him in a released statement.
“While there are some decisions that I would have made differently, I do not believe there is a complete and accurate picture of the events,” he stated. “Under advice of my legal counsel, I cannot discuss all the details right now, but I look forward to publically sharing the entire story at an appropriate time.”
“Until then, I humbly ask for everyone’s patience,” Eagle stated. “I know that I am accountable for my actions, and I look forward to communicating with my constituents in the near future on this matter.”
It was unknown Tuesday when he is to appear in court.
Eagle was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2012.
He serves on the state affairs committee, business and professional regulation subcommittee, criminal justice subcommittee, economic development and tourism subcommittee, and K-12 subcommittee.