GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Luis Enrique Cruz Gonzalez, 33, was arrested early this morning on suspicion of driving under the influence and assaulting a law enforcement officer. According to deputies, he presented a Mexican passport during the encounter and said he had been living in the United States illegally for six years.
The incident began at approximately 9:52 p.m. October 24, when a deputy spotted a white vehicle repeatedly drifting from its lane. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the driver reportedly slowed without stopping. The car continued moving at a slow speed while weaving near the edge of the lane before eventually pulling over.
Deputies said Cruz Gonzalez remained inside the vehicle for several minutes and appeared to be moving around before exiting. He reportedly gave the deputy his Mexican passport and indicated that he did not speak English.
The deputy described Cruz Gonzalez’s eyes as bloodshot and placed him in handcuffs. When the deputy attempted to communicate through a translation app, Cruz Gonzalez allegedly became confrontational and began shouting.
Deputies then attempted to put Cruz Gonzalez into a patrol vehicle, but he allegedly stiffened his body and resisted. Authorities said they eventually had to pull him from the vehicle. During a second attempt to place him inside, Cruz Gonzalez reportedly pushed against the vehicle, tried to drop to the ground and attempted to headbutt a deputy.
Because of safety concerns, deputies did not administer field sobriety exercises. A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a 12-pack of Modelo beer: two cans were missing, one was empty and another was half-full. Deputies said all of the cans were cold, suggesting they had recently been removed from refrigeration. The half-full can was spilling onto the rear floorboard and appeared to have been placed there moments earlier.
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After being read his Miranda rights, Cruz Gonzalez reportedly told deputies he had been in the United States illegally for six years. He allegedly acknowledged drinking beer before driving and said he was intoxicated. He also reportedly explained that he tried to headbutt the deputy because he was angry.
Breath tests recorded alcohol levels of 0.198 and 0.196 grams per 210 liters of breath—more than twice the legal limit.
Cruz Gonzalez faces charges of driving under the influence and assault on a law enforcement officer. His complete criminal history was unavailable because those records are not posted on weekends. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $5,000.