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A Valrico man with prior convictions of driving under the influence was just arrested again for allegedly driving drunk, this time with two young children inside the car with him.
It happened around 6:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 on Interstate 4 in Davenport. Polk County Sheriff's deputies said they saw 46-year-old James Tompkins driving impaired in the eastbound emergency lane, aka the shoulder of I-4.
When pulled over during a traffic stop, Tompkins reportedly had glassy, watery, bloodshot eyes along with slurred speech and he was swaying upon exiting his red SUV.
The deputy who pulled him over reported smelling alcohol on him.
Tompkins reportedly told the deputy he was taking the two kids, ages 5 and 8, from Valrico to Disney World. His excuse for driving on the shoulder because of traffic congestion.
He also claimed he had "one bourbon mixed drink," the sheriff's office said.
Deputies said he showed "multiple" signs of impairment during field sobriety tests, and he refused to take a breath alcohol content test when he was taken to the booking facility.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/dui-arrest-valrico-man-driving-i4-kids-in-car-davenport/67-a07cf027-ae04-498b-8fc0-c68d00835ca0