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STEVE THOMPSONMost of the 32 arrests on New Year's Eve were for drunken driving, including a bicyclist who might have died.
When Nohe Guillermino Tovar pulled off at a traffic checkpoint in Spring Hill, sheriff's deputies noted his bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol.
"He was falling-down drunk," Sgt. Erik Anthes said.
Tovar's arrest was perhaps the most unusual of the 19 drunken driving arrests made this New Year's Eve in Pasco County's annual Operation Wolf Pack: He was riding a black Huffy 21-speed bicycle.
"I can honestly say we saved his life," Anthes said. "This guy was a fatality waiting to happen."
Tovar, 43, of 11333 Leisure Lane in Port Richey told deputies he was on his way to the store to buy some milk.
"This guy blew a 0.212 and a 0.223," Anthes said. In Florida, impairment is presumed at a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent. Tovar was arrested Wednesday about 10:30 p.m. on a DUI charge. He spent the night in the county jail before posting a $250 cash bond.
This year's New Year's Eve traffic sweep also netted three drug arrests, four arrests on warrants and six arrests on other charges, in addition to the drunken driving arrests.
Authorities handed out 85 warnings and 144 citations for speeding, failing to wear a seat belt and other violations. It was a combined effort on the part of the Sheriff's Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and city police departments.
Last New Year's Eve, Pasco authorities arrested 13 drunken drivers, handed out 51 citations for traffic violations and issued 118 warnings. In 2001, Operation Wolf Pack made 21 arrests, gave out 109 citations and issued 126 warnings.