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Ex-commissioner faces DUI charge
By COLLEEN JENKINS, Times Staff Writer
A former county commissioner known for his political clout and staunch stances is scheduled to appear in County Court next week to fight a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. A Citrus County sheriff's deputy saw William J. "Skip" Hudson veering across the southbound lanes of U.S. 19 in Crystal River about 3 a.m. April 6, an arrest report said. Hudson's Chevrolet pickup swerved three times from the slow lane to the fast lane, the report said. Hudson was driving approximately 50 mph. As the deputy trailed him, Hudson made a left turn across four lanes of traffic at an intersection, headed north and then pulled into the parking lot of the former Oar House Restaurant, according to the report. The deputy reported that Hudson had bloodshot eyes and a flushed face and could not keep his balance during various sobriety tests: walking and standing unsteadily. His breath had a strong odor of alcohol, but his speech was not slurred, the report said. The deputy wrote that Hudson was polite and cooperative. Hudson, 57, who owns a title insurance business, told the deputy he wasn't drunk. He said he had consumed one beer earlier in the evening at Charlie's Fish House in Crystal River before heading to Castaways Pub & Grill. There, he said, he had several mixed drinks containing vodka, the report said. Hudson's blood-alcohol level was 0.205 percent, reports stated. In Florida, 0.08 percent is the threshold at which the law deems someone unable to drive safely. The Crystal River resident was charged with driving under the influence and careless driving. He was released from jail on $500 bail in connection with the DUI charge and is scheduled to go before County Judge Mark Yerman at 9 a.m. Thursday. Hudson would not disclose his attorney's name when called at home Thursday. The arrest was his first, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. "I don't know why you're reporting it," Hudson told a reporter. "It's not news." Hudson was in the news often when he served as a county commissioner from 1986 to 1990. As chairman for one year, he oversaw the expansion of the Crystal River Airport and emerged as a leading political force in the county. In 1990, Hudson raised more than $50,000 for a state Senate bid, but ultimately withdrew from the race. Later that year, Gary Bartell trounced Hudson in a Republican primary runoff for the commission seat. -- Colleen Jenkins can be reached at 860-7303 or cjenkins@sptimes.com.
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