Marion deputy arrest a drunk driver when he was traveling at 89 mph in a 45 mph zone

On August 16, 2023, Deputy Faulkner was conducting radar enforcement in the area of Marion Oaks Boulevard and Marion Oaks Manor. During this time, he noticed an orange pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed, and his radar confirmed the vehicle was going 89 mph in a 45 mph zone.

Deputy Faulkner activated his emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as James Rix Jr., fled from Deputy Faulkner and then turned off the lights on the vehicle, turning onto Southwest 32nd Circle in hopes of eluding the deputy. Unfortunately for him, it didn’t work, and Deputy Faulkner located him.

During the traffic stop, Deputy Faulkner could smell alcohol coming from Rix’s breath and observed that Rix was unsteady on his feet. Rix performed Field Sobriety Exercises, which led Deputy Faulkner to conclude that Rix’s normal faculties were impaired. When Rix was placed under arrest, he went from cooperative and in a good mood to verbally aggressive and rude. He was transported to the Marion County Jail. Once at the jail, Rix provided breath samples of .204 and .200, almost THREE times over the legal limit.

Rix was charged with DUI and Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. He also received traffic citations for Unlawful Speed and Possession of an Open Container in a Vehicle.