Clermont, Lake County, FL – August 11, 2023
In the early hours of August 11, 2023, an incident involving a black 2018 Nissan passenger car near the intersection of State Road 50 and Oakland Ave in Oakland, Orange County, led to the arrest of Christopher Atchison. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that Atchison, the driver of the Nissan, allegedly struck a patrol car while failing to yield for stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights. Subsequently, Atchison left the scene of the crash without stopping to provide information.
According to the affidavit released by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at approximately 12:25 AM when an officer was conducting a traffic stop. The defendant’s vehicle was observed traveling westbound towards the patrol car with its emergency lights flashing. Atchison’s vehicle reportedly struck the driver’s side of the patrol car with its passenger side mirror, and then continued driving away from the scene without stopping.
The investigating officer subsequently conducted a traffic stop on Atchison’s vehicle in the Lake Boulevard and State Road 50 area of Clermont. Upon approaching Atchison, the officer noticed watery and bloodshot eyes, as well as slurred speech, along with the odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from his breath.
After an investigation and field sobriety exercises (SFSEs), Atchison was placed under arrest for DUI (first offense) with property damage, as well as for leaving the scene of a crash. The officer transported Atchison to the Clermont Police Department for a breath test. Breath samples taken from Atchison showed blood alcohol content (BAC) levels were significantly above the legal limit.
Atchison was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on a $2,000 bond. The charges against Atchison include Driving Under the Influence with Property Damage and Leaving the Scene of a Crash.
