Man charged with lawn mower DUI

CITRA, Fla., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A Citra, Fla., man was arrested and charged with DUI for driving a lawn mower while drinking heavily, police said.

James David Gray, 68, was charged Tuesday, The Ocala Star-Banner reported.

A police officer on patrol spotted Gray riding his law mower in the wrong lane on a residential street and pulled him over. The officer observed Gray's eyes were bloodshot, he smelled strongly of alcohol and a cold beer was sitting in the lawn mower's cup holder.

Gray had ridden the mower 2 1/2 miles from a convenience store where he had bought an 18-pack of beer because it was hot and he was depressed. By the time he was pulled over, Gray told the officer he only had four beers left.

Gray said he has been drinking since he was 16 and needs help. "I need to get into a long rehab program," he said Wednesday. He said although he used to drink a 12-pack a day, for the past two years he had not touched a drop.

Recently, Gray said he was depressed because his monthly $459 disability check combined with the $300 a month he makes mowing lawns is not enough.

He is currently being held in the Marion County Jail without bail.