Reckless Drive and Rhythmic ABCs: DUI Arrest Takes Wild Turn
Marion County deputies encountered an unusual scene Tuesday when they found 32-year-old Mathew Asher snoozing behind the wheel of a silver Lexus, parked right in the median along West Highway 40. Responding to calls about a reckless driver straddling lanes, deputies approached the SUV and discovered Asher, disoriented and barely coherent, slumped over his steering wheel with the engine running and the vehicle still in gear.
When deputies revived him, Asher claimed he was “just tired and on his way home.” His version of “tired,” however, seemed a little off-kilter. In field sobriety tests, he reportedly swayed, overstepped, and sang a jazzy rendition of the alphabet despite instructions to stick to the script.
After arresting Asher for suspected DUI, deputies found orange pills, later identified as Alprazolam, in his wallet. Then came a twist: his breathalyzer returned a 0.00 reading. So, a Drug Recognition Expert was called in, who confirmed that Asher was indeed under the influence of something. A search of Asher’s wallet later revealed a baggie of white powder, testing positive for fentanyl.
Asher now faces multiple charges, including DUI, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia. As he waits on his court date, he may have time to brush up on his alphabet—without the melody.
