A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy arrested Jeffrey Kennett, 45, of Holmes Beach, May 15 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol with a passenger under age 18.
A Holmes Beach police officer was stationed at the Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave., around 2:23 a.m. when he heard what sounded like a motor vehicle crash.
The officer responded and found a motorist in a vehicle in the median at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue, attempting to drive but stuck on a broken palm tree.
The driver, Kennett, said he was coming from a bar and did not have his driver’s license or insurance information.
An MCSO deputy called to conduct a DUI investigation spoke with Kennett, who allegedly admitted he was impaired.
Kennett failed field sobriety exercises, according to a police report. He also registered breath samples with results of 0.159 and 0.154 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. The legal blood alcohol level limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.
Kennett was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $500 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.