![[07-07-26] Largo Man Accused of Fourth DUI After Hit-And-Run, Multiple Crashes](http://54.156.220.186/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/07-07-26-Largo-Man-Accused-of-Fourth-DUI-After-Hit-And-Run-Multiple-Crashes.jpg)
LARGO — A Largo man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he fled a crash in Clearwater, drove more than twice the posted speed limit, and struck another vehicle while police attempted to stop him.
Alan Michael Gardner, 73, was arrested on July 4 and charged with felony DUI — fourth or subsequent offense, reckless driving causing damage to a person or property, and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
According to arrest affidavits, Gardner was driving a blue Chevrolet Silverado southbound on North Highland Avenue when he approached a red light at Belleair Road shortly after 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
The driver of a vehicle stopped at the light reportedly saw the Silverado approaching at a high rate of speed and attempted to move out of its path. Police said Gardner struck the vehicle, reversed, and fled southbound.
Largo police later located the Silverado traveling west on East Bay Drive. An officer estimated Gardner’s speed at approximately 80 mph in a posted 35 mph zone, according to the affidavit.
Authorities said Gardner entered a right-turn lane at East Bay Drive and Missouri Avenue, stopped in the intersection, and then continued straight after the traffic signal changed. He allegedly crossed the double-yellow line, moved across the roadway, and nearly struck a curb.
When officers attempted a traffic stop, Gardner reportedly continued driving at a high rate of speed and struck another vehicle. Police said he then turned onto a side road, drove partially onto a sidewalk and curb, and eventually stopped.
Gardner was transported by ambulance to HCA Florida Largo Hospital. Officers reported that he had bloodshot and glassy eyes, slurred speech, poor balance, and smelled of alcohol. Police said he also made statements indicating that he was drunk.
Because of his alleged level of impairment, officers determined it would have been unsafe for Gardner to perform field sobriety exercises. The affidavits state that a medical blood test showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.293, more than three-and-a-half times Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
Gardner allegedly refused a separate law-enforcement blood test after being read Florida’s implied-consent warning.
Court documents list three previous DUI convictions dating to 1997, 2010, and 2015. No injuries were reported in the crashes.
Source : IONTB
