An Off-Duty Florida Police Officer Saw an Alleged Drunk Driver Hit a Cyclist. He Tracked Him Down and Arrested Him

A 28-year-old Florida man, who smiled widely in his mug shot, was arrested after allegedly drunkenly crashing his SUV into a cyclist, all while an off-duty police officer watched, according to local reports.

At around 7 p.m. on Thursday, off-duty Key West Police Officer Esteban Andrade saw a Mazda SUV "zig-zagging" all over the roadway, according to an arrest report reviewed by Local 10.

Andrade called the police department non-emergency line to report the driver and followed the vehicle while on hold, per the outlet. The SUV, driven by Scott Luis Rodriguez, then made a turn, allegedly hit a bicyclist and continued to drive.

Andrade continued to follow Rodriguez until he eventually pulled over in the parking lot of the local courthouse, police said. He flashed his badge and ordered Rodriguez to exit the SUV, per the report.

Rodriguez allegedly "aggressively approached" Andrade, prompting the officer to hold him at gunpoint. The officer later stated he was scared for his children, who were in his car.

Rodriguez told police he parked his SUV because he was "drunk" and later declined a field sobriety test and breathalyzer and became combative, per the outlet.

Police said the suspect had "noticeably slurred speech" and "screamed and thrashed around" when officers tried to put him in the back of the cruiser. A search of his SUV revealed an empty bottle of vodka, per Local 10.

The cyclist who was hit was visiting the area from New Jersey and took himself to the hospital later for hip pain and abrasions.

Rodriguez was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury and misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage and resisting an officer without violence, according to court records.