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Naples man charged with DUI after driving car into Estero River
Luke M. Hall
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ESTERO — An 18-year-old Naples man was arrested by Lee County sheriff’s deputies early Wednesday after a woman heard yelling coming from the Estero River, records show.
Luke M. Hall, of 6061 Golden Oaks Lane, was charged with driving under the influence after the 2:18 a.m. incident.
According to the arrest record, a woman who lives in the 20000 block of Charing Cross Circle in Estero was awakened by yelling coming from her backyard. She went outside and saw a man standing in the Estero River, next to a vehicle that was under water.
The woman’s husband asked if help was needed and the man said two girls were trapped in the car.
Seven deputies were sent to the scene and four of them — Lt. Adam Sedwick, Sgt. Karl Albenga, Deputy Jason Yerk and Deputy Bryan Perera — dumped their gun belts, jumped into the water, took the man out of the water and broke the sun roof of the vehicle, searching for anyone who might be inside, according to the report.
The man became combative with deputies and was handcuffed.
Deputies said the man was mumbling and smelled of alcohol, according to the report.
The man said he was driving and didn’t remember how many people were in the vehicle. Then when he was asked how many people were in the car, he said: “Five.”
The man was put into a cruiser and told another deputy no one was in the vehicle with him when it went into the water.
However, because he originally told the nearby residents that two people were trapped, additional law enforcement and rescue personnel were sent, including the Sheriff’s Office dive team, marine unit and an aviation unit, and Estero Fire Rescue and its marine unit.
While the search was under way for anyone else who might have been in the water or trapped in the vehicle, reports say the man fell asleep in the back seat of the cruiser.
He then was taken to another cruiser and a deputy was about to talk to him when she saw him lying on his back with his legs in the air. She saw him kick the window several times, according to the report. His feet were then shackled.
Yet another deputy was sent to a house in the gated community where the man had apparently been to a party. Reports say the man had left the party by himself, a witness told deputies.
Hall remained in Lee County jail on Wednesday. He hasn’t been arrested before in Lee County, however he was cited twice in Collier County with speeding, once in 2006 and a second time in 2007, Collier County clerk of courts computer records show.
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E-mail Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com
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He should have called Sheriff Vinny for ride home!
#1 Posted by Ry42 on August 13, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dude...where's my car??????
#2 Posted by beetlejuice on August 13, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It be swimming wit da fishes Beetle!
Kinda like the scene from Risky Business.
Who be this U-boat commander?
#3 Posted by Jadip811 on August 13, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A kennedy wannabe?
#4 Posted by Naplestango on August 13, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL Jadip!
He also said, "Dude...where's my friends?"
They bailed out when U-boat commander drank and drove into the Estero River.
#5 Posted by beetlejuice on August 14, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"However, because he originally told the nearby residents that two people were trapped, additional law enforcement and rescue personnel were sent, including the Sheriff’s Office dive team, marine unit and an aviation unit, and Estero Fire Rescue and its marine unit."
Hey, thanks drunk idiot. You want to pay the county back for that???
What an idiot!
#6 Posted by jim09091 on August 14, 2008 at 2:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
deport him.
#7 Posted by alphadog1 on August 14, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rockford what is your problem with Miami? Why don't you go back to Rockford, and while you're at it take all your school Rockford chums with you.
#8 Posted by youreallcrazy on August 14, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly what good happens at 6am?
#9 Posted by SandnSurf on August 14, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
www.sheriffleefl.org/about/jaildetention/arrestbk.aspx?id=259416&bk=549778
#10 Posted by signalzero on August 14, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
deport him!? YOU PEOPLE ARE THE IDIOTS! Luke is a WHITE male, who lives in a VERY nice area of Naples. He's 18 and made a mistake that he'll probably never make again.. alphadog you need to get a life.
#11 Posted by babyG on August 14, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just want to let everyone know to get a life and stop complaining about all the s*** that goes on in this lame county. Deport him??? Are you all that arrogant? You do not even know the person who committed the crime. All you know is a name and address. If all you people do all day is judge people by their faults then i am sure you all are living great lives. How about you all start doing a little more research before you go and make yourself look like a bunch of idiots.
#12 Posted by tash302 on August 14, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's your sign......Moron of the day?
#13 Posted by Typeone on August 14, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Deport him to IDAHO!!! LOL
#14 Posted by Hendry on August 14, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Luke, give into the darkside of the force......
#15 Posted by youwilltapout on August 14, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tash, you should consider....this could be the HIGHLIGHT of many peoples day. Boredom @ work and agonizing long hours leads us all here.
get yerself off if you don't agree or like it.
& PREACH ON YOU FINE FOLKS OF SWFL (for my enjoyment anyway)!!!!
#16 Posted by orange469 on August 14, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
im with tash, I love how everyone assumes hes hispanic.
Luke hall sounds norwegian to me.
#17 Posted by cocoabutter on August 14, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is all a funny story, but lucas is my only friend. He really isnt a bad kid soo everyone chil out. If you all met him, then you would all enjoy his company. I mean come on, who can make up a story like his. It is one of a kind. I find it funny actually that the collier county police actually fell for such a crazy story.
#18 Posted by tash302 on August 14, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey!!! Be nice to Rockford!! Try to understand nothing good happens to him between MN and 6AM.
May be one of you has a single friend and can hook him up.
#19 Posted by ricky369 on August 14, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow. people should just shut their mouths..Luke is a good person. stuff happens.
deported? I feel more dumb having read that comment.
#20 Posted by jer1039 on August 15, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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