A Villager was arrested after drinking and dancing at a town square.
Janet Malinda McKnight, 66, of the Ivystone Villas, was driving a gray 2012 Toyota “at a high rate of speed” at about 8:30 p.m. Friday on El Camino Real, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. She was caught on radar traveling at 56 miles per hour in the 35 mph zone.
During a traffic stop, a deputy noticed that she had “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath,” the report said. She said she had been dancing for more than an hour at Spanish Springs Town Square where she had two cups of Pinot Grigio wine with food. McKnight said she decided to leave because a male “was getting too touchy on the dance floor.”
She was asked to participate in field sobriety exercises, but complained to the deputy that she has had back surgeries and has a screw in her left foot. The deputy pointed out McKnight said she had been dancing at the square. She struggled through the exercises and had trouble maintaining her balance. She refused to attempt the one legged stand.
She provided breath samples that registered .03 and .028. Because they were below the .08 limit, the deputy asked McKnight for a urine sample.
She was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence and ticketed for speeding. She was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $1,000 bond.
