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Hernando Today

Three DUI Suspects Nabbed In Two Hours

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: March 16, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Several suspected drunk drivers were arrested within an hour of each other Friday, including two with blood alcohol levels triple the legal limit.

One involved a high-speed chase that stemmed from a call for help around midnight on Friday. The caller told authorities that she had been arguing with her husband — who had been drinking — and that he had just left their home and headed for Health South, according to an arrest affidavit.

A deputy was on his way to investigate when another 911 call confirmed the location of his suspect. Employees at Health South told authorities that an "extremely intoxicated" man was banging on the doors demanding to be let in.

The deputy turned around and headed for Health South when he spotted the suspect's Toyota Tundra headed eastbound on Cortez Boulevard, near Hope Road. A spotlight on the driver confirmed it was his suspect, John Spencer, 54, whom the deputy recognized from "several work related encounters."

The deputy initiated a traffic stop with his lights and sirens and Spencer initially appeared to be searching for a safe spot to pull over. He dashed that notion however when he accelerated to speeds over 100 mph and barreled towards the intersection of Cortez Boulevard and Jasmine Road, a report states.

The pursuit was called off because of the reckless driving and the deputy continued to Spencer's home at 26475 Richbarn Road. Spencer was found at home and arrested on charges of DUI and fleeing to elude.

An hour later, around 1:45 a.m., deputies were called to investigate a car crash on Cortez Boulevard, near Cyclops Drive. A traffic deputy interviewed the driver, William Wirth, 54, and asked him to perform field sobriety tests after noting signs of intoxication.

Wirth was unable to perform the tests because of his intoxication, so he was taken to the county jail where he blew a blood alcohol level of .251 and .254, according to a report. Florida law presumes intoxication at .08.

Around the same time, deputies were following a Lincoln LS running over curbs and driving recklessly in the Western Way shopping plaza at Cortez and Mariner boulevards.

The car's driver responded to a deputy's emergency lights and came to a stop with the help of a parking bumper. The driver, Kyle Hawkins, 23, appeared intoxicated but refused to perform field sobriety tests, so he was taken to the county jail on suspicion of DUI and for several driver's license offenses, a report states.

Hawkins reportedly provided a blood alcohol level of .259.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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