Milton Planning and Zoning Director Randy Jorgenson was arrested Monday afternoon, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Jorgenson,54, 6900 block Summit Way, Milton, had called in sick Monday, according to Milton City Manager Brian Watkins. He was arrested at 2:19 p.m. Monday and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail shortly thereafter on a $500 bond. He was later released.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s arrest report, the arrest came after Deputy S.M. Kelley responded to a reckless driver complaint on Chumuckla Highway just north of Willard Norris Road.
The officer’s report indicates Jorgenson’s car was stopped on the side of the road with the engine running.
The report goes on to note Jorgenson “ fumbled with his wallet” with asked for his license. In fact, Kelley’s report says instead of his license, Jorgenson initially handed the officer his credit card, but did present the license on a second attempt.
According to the report, Kelley then asked Jorgenson if he was under the influence of anything, and he said he was not.
When the officer asked Jorgenson if there were any medical problems that would impair him from driving, Jorgenson said he had high blood pressure.
Jorgenson was swaying, stumbling and had slurred speech when asked to leave his vehicle, the report alleges.
The officer says he again asked Jorgenson if he had been drinking, and Jorgenson replied that he had high blood pressure, but when another officer arrived on scene and asked Jorgenson if he had been drinking, the report says Jorgenson said yes and noted he had also been taking blood thinners.
Jorgenson later admitted, alleges the report, he had been drinking four or five hours earlier, but refused to take a field sobriety test.
Following a Breathalyzer test at the county jail, the report indicates Jorgenson registered .151 on the first blow and .135 on the second. The legal limit is .08.
The police report notes a witness saw Jorgenson driving erratically, and saw him hit a garbage can with his vehicle.
The witness estimates Jorgenson’s speed varied between 15 mph and 90 mph as he traveled Willard Norris Road.
The witness also alleges Jorgenson came to a stop in the middle of Willard Norris, accelerated again, and almost ran into the back end of a dump truck.
Watkins was not made aware of the DUI until the Press Gazette called Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Watkins says he knows Jorgenson called in sick on Monday.
“If they get a DUI, it’s usually handled through the court systems,” Watkins said. “In our case, if they get their license suspended, they can’t drive our vehicles.”
If convicted, Jorgenson could face up to nine months in jail, since his BAC was over .15.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton official charged with DUI