PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando police officer faces a charge of driving under the influence following his arrest early Sunday in Pinellas County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Cesar Hernandez-Castillo, 39, was reportedly operating a Chevrolet Tahoe that was traveling over a raised center median in the area of Park Boulevard and 86th Lane in Seminole, the sheriff’s office said in a statement, adding he was off duty at the time.
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Deputies who made contact with Hernandez-Castillo described observing signs of impairment, including bloodshot and glassy eyes, poor balance and the strong smell of alcohol, yet Hernandez-Castillo refused to preform field sobriety tests or to provide a breath sample, the statement reads.
Hernandez-Castillo was arrested around 1:08 a.m. and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
News 6 reached out to the Orlando Police Department for comment and received the following response:
The Orlando Police department was made aware of the arrest of one of our officers earlier this morning regarding an alleged DUI offense.
Officer Cesar Hernandez-Castillo has been placed on paid administrative leave and an internal investigation regarding this arrest has been opened.
We would refer all questions relating to this arrest to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Orlando Police Department statement | Feb. 18, 2024
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