Lake Wales, Florida – On December 10th, around 12:45 am, the Lake Wales Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a reported speeding vehicle. According to the arrest report the driver of that vehicle was Stephen Grimsby, 36 yrs old of Lakeland. According to the arrest affidavit Grimsby confessed to driving with a suspended license, driving while intoxicated and for refusing to submit to DUI test ( in all fairness he admitted to being drunk). Below is the arrest affidavit for Mr. Grimsby.
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the LWPD. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions:
“On December 10th, 2023 Stephen Michael Grimsby (W/M 01/08/1987) was placed under arrest for violations of Florida State Statutes 322.34(2) (Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked), 316.193(1)
(DUI/Misdemeanor), 324.022(1) (Failure of Owner/Operator to Maintain Required Insurance), 316.1939 (1) (E)
(Refusal to Submit to BAL test) for the following:
On December 10th, 2023, I was conducting traffic enforcement on HWY 60 E and 4th ST S, when I observed a dark in color four door vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed westbound on HWY 60. Utilizing speed measurement device, TruSpeed LTI 20/20 (serial# TJ001497), I “clocked” the vehicle at a speed of 67 miles per hour. Due to the current speed limit of HWY 60 being 40 miles per hour, I conducted an Emergency Traffic Stop on the vehicle near the intersection of HWY 60 and 1ST Street S.
Once the vehicle came to a complete stop near the intersection of HWY 60 W and Sharp St S, I approached the driver side door. Upon approaching the driver side door, the driver, Stephen Michael Grimsby (W/M 01/08/1987) rolled the window down. Immediately upon rolling the driver side door, a strong odor of alcohol began omitting from the vehicle. Contact was then made with Stephen, who immediately stuttered “hey brother, imma go ahead and step out of the car, I am both drunk and driving on a suspended license”. Due to these statements, Stephen was asked to turn the vehicle off and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, I could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Stephen’s person and also recognize Stephen was slurring his speech. While detaining Stephen he began stating, “I just left Yall Come Back Saloon and I been drinking all day”. Stephen also informed me during this time his license is suspended due to having no current valid insurance.
While speaking to Stephen, not only could I smell a strong odor of alcohol, Stephen showed multiple signs of impairment such as slurred speech, both eyes being abnormally glossy, and swaying back and forth while attempting to stand in place. Stephen also stated several times, “I needed to be arrested for drinking and driving, I am an alcoholic and have a problem”.
Stephen was then requested to do Field Sobriety Test; however, Stephen refused and stated “I am drunk as shit, just smell my breath and look at me. I am not doing any test to show how drunk I am”.
A query was conducted on D.A.V.I.D, which confirmed Stephen’s license has indeed been suspended since October 25th, 2023.
Stephen was then transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center. While at the Processing Center, I completed a 20-minute observation period before requesting a breath sample. After requesting a breath sample, Stephen then refused to complete any form of test. Stephen was then read his implied consent warning in which Stephen still refused to complete a breath test.
Based on the above, Stephen was placed under arrest for violations of Florida State Statutes 322.34(2)
(Knowingly Driving While License Suspended/Revoked), 316.193(1) (DUI/Misdemeanor), 324.022(1) (Failure of Owner/Operator to Maintain Required Insurance), 316.1939 (1) (E) (Refusal to Submit to BAL test).”
