Gainesville Police arrested a man Saturday for racing his truck on West University Avenue while he was drunk.
Robert Michael Latner
Robert Michael Latner, 27, sped a gray 2004 Nissan Frontier, passed an officer and swerved into the right lane to pass another car, according to an arrest report. As the officer pulled behind Latner’s car, which was stopped at a red light at 3400 W. University Ave., Latner yelled at the other car’s driver. “Let’s go! Green light! Green light!”
Latner yelled while hitting his hand against the outside of his truck, according to the report.
Both drivers inched forward across the stop bar, despite the light being red, with the intention of racing, police said.
When the light turned green, the drivers raced westbound on West University Avenue, reaching 65 mph, according to the report. Latner swerved to avoid hitting a curb.
Police stopped him on Northwest 36th Street, and he told an officer he sped to impress girls, according to the report. His speech was slurred, and he smelled like alcohol, police said.
He admitted to drinking two beers at The Social at Midtown, according to the report. He refused to finish field sobriety exercises, and his blood-alcohol levels were .142 and .148.
Police arrested Latner for driving under the influence and racing on a highway. Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail, where he was released Saturday afternoon on a $12,500 bond.
Latner declined to comment.
Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield
