DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An off-duty Daytona Beach police officer was arrested Wednesday night on DUI charges after he crashed into a light pole at a McDonald’s in Flagler County, deputies said.
Edward Lee, 35, who has been an officer with the Daytona Beach Police Department since 2018, was arrested and placed on administrative leave, according to the department.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 caller reported a reckless driver of a silver Nissan Titan who was “all over the road, went onto the curb” and ended up in the parking lot of a McDonald’s in Palm Coast, where he struck a light pole.
A deputy questioned Lee, who said a female was driving his truck and he was in the passenger seat when the crash occurred, according to the sheriff’s office.
A witness, however, told authorities that he saw Lee driving at the time of the crash, according to officials.
Deputies said Lee had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, along with bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech.
Lee refused to take a field sobriety test or provide a breath sample, officials said.
Lee will remain on leave pending an internal review, the department said.
The Daytona Beach Police Department said it will cooperate with the investigation.
“This type of behavior is not representative of the values of the Daytona Beach Police Department, and the officer will be held accountable in accordance with departmental policy and the law,” the agency said in a statement.
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