Gainesville Police arrested a local man early Sunday after he reportedly drove into a pole at St. Augustine Catholic Church.
Just before 2:20 a.m., Leslie Eugene Hilton, 28, reportedly drove his Chevrolet Silverado into a utility pole in the parking lot of St. Augustine Catholic Church. He was driving under the influence of alcohol, according to a police report.
An officer found plastic from the Silverado’s taillight near the pole, which only had minor damage, according to the report.
"If anything, I just hurt my truck," Hilton said.
Hilton said he drank a couple mixed drinks at Gator City for his friend’s birthday, but not an illegal amount.
He had slurred speech, droopy eyelids and the smell of alcohol on his breath, according to the report.
Hilton said he owns a lawn service company that caused his eyes to become discolored from constant debris.
Along with reportedly taking small steps and responding to questions slowly, Hilton refused to finish the officer’s DUI test, according to the report.
When the officer asked Hilton to take a breath test, he reportedly said, "I will not incriminate myself," according to the report.
"I was told it’s better not to give them more evidence," Hilton said.
Police arrested Hilton on charges of causing property damage while under the influence and refusing to submit to a DUI test. Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail, where he was released Sunday afternoon on his own recognizance.
This is the second time St. Augustine property has been damaged in eight days after a man was arrested Aug. 22 for defecating on the church steps.
Follow Giuseppe Sabella on Twitter @gsabella
