Around 9pm Sunday evening, a Walton county deputy on patrol stopped a dark colored mustang traveling at a high rate of speed on US Hwy 98 near the Sandestin area. The vehicle was traveling at a speed of 80 mph in a 45mph zone. After the vehicle was stopped deputies realized the one driving was an off duty deputy with the sheriff?s office. During the investigation deputies determined the driver had been drinking. The driver, Cullen M. Coraine, was charged with one count of driving while under the influence and he was also cited for exceeding the maximum posted speed limit.
Walton Deputy Pullings says he was parked at the Palm Plaza, watching a gas station that had had its front door cracked in the last week. The deputy heard the sound of a performance engine and saw a dark car traveling at a high rate of speed. He pursued at a high speed, pacing the suspect at 80 miles per hour. Deputy Pullings was joined by Deputy Hogeboom.
After stopping the vehicle, Deputy Pullings said the white male said he knows he was speeding and apologized, then began to speak in a low voice, not understandable and sounding like he was still apologizing. The deputy also says he could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
A supervisor, Lt. Miracle, arrived and approached the driver. Twice he asked the driver if he had anything to drink, he is reported to have said, ?no.? The driver complied when asked to step out of the vehicle and onto the sidewalk. The driver was asked if he would submit to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. He told the deputy he did not want Deputy Hogeboom to administer the test and refused two other requests to take the test.
The driver, Cullen M. Coraine, was arrested and transported to the South Walton Sheriff?s Substation. He was transported to the Walton County Jail Facility and was held until 1st appearance. He has since bonded out on a $ 500.00 bond.
At this time he has been placed on administrative leave depending the outcome of an internal investigation.