Florida man says he wasn't drinking while driving, only while stopped

Jim Beam bottle found in passenger's seat

Earle Gustavas Steven of Vero Beach, Florida (Indian River County Sheriff's Office via WPLG-TV)

VERO BEACH, Fla. – A Florida man stopped for drunken driving denies he was actually drinking while driving, claiming he only drank while he was stopped at traffic signals and stop signs, WPLG-TV reported.

Earle Gustavas Stevens of Vero Beach was approached on June 27 by a police officer after a woman called 911 saying he had hit her bumper numerous times while waiting in a McDonald's drive-thru lane.

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The Smoking Gun reports Stevens smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words, according to the officer.

A bottle of Jim Beam was sitting in the passenger's seat next to Stevens, and he admitted he had been drinking, according to a police report.

But when pressed if he was drinking while driving, Stevens said no, the police report said.

“He further explained that he was not drinking while the car was moving and only when he stopped for stop signs and traffic signals.” the officer wrote in the report.

Stevens was arrested and charged with drunken driving and driving without a license.