Cape Coral Man Arrested for DUI After Barrier Crash

James Taylor, 32, faces DUI and leaving-the-scene charges after crashing his Honda Civic into a concrete barrier at Santa Barbara Boulevard South and Cape Coral Parkway East on Saturday, May 9.

Cape Coral Police officers arrived at the intersection shortly after 9 p.m. to find Taylor's white vehicle resting on top of the barrier. When officers approached, Taylor ran eastbound on Cape Coral Parkway East. Officers pursued and detained him before he could leave the scene.

Witnesses told police they saw Taylor exit the vehicle wearing a blue long-sleeved fishing shirt and run as officers arrived. One witness provided dash camera footage showing the Civic traveling southbound, failing to negotiate the turn onto Cape Coral Parkway East, and striking the barrier.

Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on Taylor's breath and noted his watery, glassy eyes and slurred speech. Taylor carried a bottle of Wray & Nephew rum while attempting to flee. He consented to breath samples, which registered .156 and .166—both exceeding the legal limit.

During a vehicle search, officers found a multicolored metal scoop in Taylor's wallet containing a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.

Taylor was transported to Lee County Jail and charged with DUI (.15 or higher), two counts of DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.