Heracleo Arteaga Casteneda, 51, was arrested for DUI Tuesday after he allegedly drove intoxicated from the business he owns on Danielsville Road to a liquor store in order to purchase more alcohol, Athens-Clarke County police said.
Police responded to El Primo Auto Sales at about 11:35 a.m. after Casteneda’s daughter called 911 to report, on behalf of her Spanish-speaking mother, that Casteneda was driving intoxicated and might possibly hurt someone, according to police.
By the time officers arrived at the business, Casteneda had already returned from Norwood Package, smelling of alcohol and with bloodshot and watery eyes, police said. The man admitted to having started drinking at 5 a.m., police said.
After failing some sobriety tests, a police officer decided to apply for a search warrant to obtain a blood sample for further testing due to the fact Casteneda had been previously arrested for DUI, and he did not clearly answer when read the implied consent request for a breath test, according to police.
After the search warrant was signed by a judge, police said Casteneda was taken to Athens Regional Medical Center where he refused to allow blood to be drawn from him, police said. A hospital security guard reportedly had to assist the officer in bringing Casteneda to a patrol car when the man resisted.
Casteneda was charged with DUI and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.