Holmes Beach police arrested resident Jackson Coolahan, 27, on five charges Feb. 19 for damaging property while driving under the influence of alcohol and registering a blood/alcohol level above the legal limit.
Three charges are for first-degree misdemeanors for damaging property while driving under the influence and carry up to one-year jail sentences and/or 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine.
The other two charges are second-degree misdemeanors for damaging property during DUI and registering a higher blood/alcohol level than the legal limit. The second-degree misdemeanors can carry up to 60-day jail sentences and/or six months’ probation and a $500 fine.
Multiple officers were dispatched to the scene of a traffic incident around the 5100 block of Gulf Drive, where a vehicle reportedly crashed into parked vehicles.
Upon arriving, the officers found a Monkey Bus driver who didn’t witness the accident but said he saw Jackson exit the at-fault vehicle.
Jackson approached the officers and told them he was drunk and had been driving the vehicle.
While the officers conducted field sobriety tests for a DUI investigation, Jackson admitted his condition. He later registered blood/alcohol levels of 0.341 and 0.339. The legal limit is 0.08.
The officers transported Jackson to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton for treatment due to the crash and his high blood/alcohol level, and then to the Manatee County jail Feb. 20. He was released Feb. 22 after posting a $2,120 bail.
Jackson is set for an arraignment at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice