PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Clearwater Fire Department employee was arrested after being found unresponsive behind the wheel of a car at a stop light while it was in drive.
35-year-old Andrew Leeth was found at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday in a 2001 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. The vehicle was stopped at the light in the eastbound turn lane on Boca Ciega Dr. near the intersection of 75th Ave. in St. Pete Beach.
Deputies noticed Leeth showed signs of impairment by having bloodshot, glassy and watery eyes and a distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his mouth.
He was transported to Palms of Pasadena Hospital as a precaution for medical reasons.
While awaiting medical clearance Leeth reportedly refused to submit a lawful sample of blood for the criminal investigation and removed his medical equipment to try to leave the hospital.
Deputies say they ordered him to stop but he refused. Leeth then ran toward the hospital exit and deputies had to use a Taser to stop him.
He was then taken into custody and charged with one count of Driving Under the Influence and one count of Resisting Arrest without Violence. Leeth was also charged with one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine) after he was found in possession of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.
