“See Something, Say Something” Results in Indiana Fugitive from Justice Arrested for Fifth DUI
BUNNELL, Fla. — On Monday night, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Palm Coast man with a fugitive warrant and his fifth DUI arrest after he failed to complete a field sobriety test and refused to submit a breath test.
Deputies responded to State Road 100 and Old Kings Road after a citizen “saw something and said something” about a reckless driver swerving on the road. Deputies quickly located the blue Ford pickup as it left the RaceTrac gas station, with its headlights off, through the entrance marked with a do-not-enter sign rather than the exit. The vehicle then crossed three lanes into the left turn lane and ran the red light while making a U-turn.
Deputies stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Howard Johnson, 60, of Palm Coast, who appeared nervous and was slurring his speech. Deputies also observed an open beer can on the passenger floorboard.
Deputies began a DUI investigation and asked Johnson to exit the vehicle to conduct a field sobriety test. During the field sobriety test, Johnson could not keep still, smelled strongly of alcohol, and could not complete portions of the exercises. Based on Johnson’s driving behavior, the physical impairment, and performance of the field sobriety test, deputies determined that Johnson was unable to drive safely and arrested him. During an inventory search of Johnson’s vehicle, deputies located other open alcohol containers.
Howard Johnson (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
Johnson was arrested for DUI and driving while license suspended. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he refused to submit a breath test.
“When you decide to get behind the wheel of the car, you take on the responsibility of operating that vehicle sober and safely,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Within seconds of leaving the gas station, Johnson had committed several traffic violations and was a clear risk to everyone around him. Because a vigilant citizen ‘saw something and said something,’ a dangerous drunk driver was taken off the roadway and a fugitive was apprehended.”
Johnson has an extensive criminal history outside of Florida and has been convicted four times in Indiana for DUI. In addition, Johnson is a fugitive from Lake County, Indiana, for several charges including: dealing cocaine, possession of a firearm by a violent felon, and operating a vehicle while impaired endangering a person.
Johnson is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on an $81,000 bond for his charges in Flagler County and is pending extradition to Indiana.