A man was arrested following a vehicle crash on Interstate 4 in Polk County after authorities say he was found in possession of several prescription drugs for which he did not have valid prescriptions.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a trooper was dispatched to a crash on I-4 near mile marker 27 at approximately 1:14 p.m. Saturday. At the scene, the trooper spoke with the driver of a cement truck, who reported that he was traveling westbound when another vehicle struck the right side of his truck while passing.
The trooper then interviewed the driver of the other vehicle, identified as 41-year-old Nicholas George Levine. Levine reportedly admitted that he failed to maintain his lane, causing the collision.
While speaking with Levine, the trooper observed signs of possible impairment, including slurred speech, difficulty maintaining balance, and a fixation on a cellphone that appeared to be powered off. Based on these observations, the trooper initiated a DUI investigation.
Levine denied consuming alcohol, illegal narcotics, or prescription medication. However, according to the incident report, he declined to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Exercises and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence.
During a search, the trooper discovered a white container in Levine’s pocket containing pills that Levine claimed belonged to his girlfriend and were identified as Xanax. The pills were later confirmed to be alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Further inspection of Levine’s vehicle revealed a black backpack on the passenger seat containing a green container filled with various pills. Authorities identified the substances as buprenorphine hydrochloride, a Schedule III controlled substance; zolpidem tartrate, a Schedule IV controlled substance; and seven additional prescription-only medications.
According to FHP, Levine was booked into the Polk County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.
