Jesse Perez didn’t remember much of his drive on U.S. 19 early Thursday morning according to police reports. The 50-year-old apparently had no recollection that he almost hit a police car or hit the median a couple times. There seems to be a good reason for that according to police and a woman who was in the car with Perez. The witness claims Perez was driving drunk and he was on Xanax.
Perez denied the accusations but did admit to having a few beers and mixed drinks. He said he had no idea who owned the Xanax and marijuana police found after searching the car. The officers arresting him didn’t seem to buy that story and charged Perez with DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. He was booked into Land O’ Lakes Jail on $4,300 bail.