A man from Riviera Beach is facing charges for driving under the influence (DUI) and leaving the scene of a crash. The incident occurred near former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club.
On the morning of June 29, around 7 a.m., police were called to a traffic circle on South Ocean Boulevard, just south of Mar-a-Lago. They found damage to the area, including a bent “yield” sign and damaged hedges.
A nearby officer found a red 2024 Chevrolet SUV stopped on the road with damage and leaves stuck in the headlights. Inside the SUV were two unconscious people, including the 24-year-old driver with an open bottle of Corona beer between his legs.
As the driver woke up, police asked him to step out for evaluation. They saw a bag of white powder, which the driver admitted was cocaine. He was unsteady, had slurred speech, and glossy eyes. He couldn’t remember hitting anything.
Inside the SUV, police found more beer bottles. Security cameras showed the SUV crashing into the traffic circle around 5:53 a.m. and continuing south. The SUV had been on the roadside for over an hour before police arrived.
The driver’s breath samples showed a blood alcohol content of .244 and .246, well above the legal limit of .08. He also had a warrant for grand theft and a suspended driver’s license.
The man was arrested and charged with DUI, leaving the scene of a crash, and possessing a controlled substance. He is in Palm Beach County Jail on $1,250 bail, awaiting possible extradition to Lee County.