Midday DUI arrest

Intoxicated driver hits

bridge guardrail, damages

wall at Blountstown PD

by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com

BLOUNTSTOWN, FL – An intoxicated Quincy man who hit a guardrail as he was coming off Trammel Bridge into Blountstown is facing charges of DUI, criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia after law enforcement officers caught up with him last week.

The driver, identified as 30-year-old Phillip Ryan Monk-Mueller, continued through town and was seen leaving West End Liquors and then going to Burger King shortly before 2 p.m. on July 23.

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Garrett Lovelace noted that when he pulled up to speak with Mueller outside the fast-food restaurant, there was the strong odor of alcohol and marijuana as he approached him.  “The driver was acting nervous, grabbing and squeezing his hands until they were bright red,” according to the arrest report.

BPD Officer Kristopher Jordan noted that the driver was uneasy on his feet and was struggling to keep his balance when he stepped out of his vehicle.  When asked how much he’d had to drink, Mueller replied, “a lot.”

When Mueller refused to take part in a field sobriety test, he was handcuffed and put in a patrol car, where he began beating his head on the window.  When ordered to stop, he began calling the officer “Pig” and cursed at him.

A grinder, paper wraps and three plastic jars were found his Mueller’s vehicle, along with a bottle of vodka.

When he arrived at the police department, he refused to take a breath test.  During a 20-minute observation period, he fell asleep.

After he was awakened, he told the officer he had had not slept in three days.  While being advised of his rights, he began cursing at the officer again. Mueller then slammed his hands into the wall, leaving noticeable damage.

He later provided a sample of his breath, which resulted in readings of 0.336 and 0.329.  The legal limit is .08.

He is being held in the Calhoun County Jail.

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