PALM COAST, Fla. – A Palm Coast man was arrested Friday on his second DUI charge in slightly more than a month after deputies found him apparently asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla outside a liquor store, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Stephen Barnier, 49, was arrested on charges of DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing, second or subsequent refusal. He was being held without bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility after a judge revoked his bond in his previous DUI case.
Deputies responded Friday evening to Sharps Discount Liquors after receiving a report about a suspicious white Tesla that had been parked outside the store for several hours. The caller told authorities a man was inside the vehicle and had been seen vomiting.
When deputies arrived, they found Barnier in the driver’s seat appearing to be asleep, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Barnier initially did not respond as they knocked on the window, announced themselves and shined a flashlight into the vehicle. After repeated attempts, Barnier woke up and rolled down a rear passenger window.
Deputies reported immediately smelling a strong odor of alcohol inside the Tesla.
Barnier then got out of the vehicle without being asked, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said his eyes were watery, his clothing appeared wet and they could smell alcohol on his breath as he spoke.
When asked how long he had been in the parking lot, Barnier could not provide an answer, authorities said.
A records check showed Barnier had been arrested Aug. 28 on charges of DUI and refusing to submit to DUI testing. His driver’s license was also suspended.
Barnier acknowledged that he knew his license was suspended and that his earlier DUI case was still pending, according to deputies.
Deputies began conducting field sobriety exercises. After completing the first exercise, Barnier began walking away while a deputy was explaining the next one, the Sheriff’s Office said.
When deputies stopped him and asked whether he was refusing to continue, Barnier did not answer and instead placed his hands behind his back.
He was arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where deputies said he refused a request to provide a breath sample.
Friday’s arrest came 35 days after his Aug. 28 arrest. The charges in both cases remain allegations, and the information released by the Sheriff’s Office did not provide the disposition of the earlier case.