Man spotted sleeping in his car arrested after police conduct welfare check

TEQUESTA, Fla. (CBS12) — A man was found around 8:30 a.m. Thursday slumped over his steering wheel, drooling from the mouth, revving the car's engine on a high idle at an intersection.

However, Tequesta Police Department (TPD) officers conducting a welfare check soon found he wasn't just taking a quick nap but was in a strange state.

An approaching officer at the the Willow Road and Tequesta Drive intersection heard the engine's revving as if the gas pedal was fully engaged then noticed the driver's pale, clammy skin and beads of sweat rolling down his face. According to the affidavit, he was holding a butane lighter in his right hand.

The driver, 26-year-old Tyler Smith, was clearly not just sleeping, the records showed.

See also: '3 bullets for each of you:' Utah man threatened woman and her friends over Instagram

A TPD officer tapped on the driver's-side window, but the man was unresponsive. Concerned for his health, Smith's door was opened, and he awoke confused and in a fright.

He quickly told officers he was napping.

Officers questioned Smith about his location and what direction he was traveling, but he couldn't answer.

The 26-year-old man was asked to step out of the car, and once he did, a pink bag spilled out a plastic baggie reportedly containing a crystal rock substance, which was later confirmed to be methamphetamine. Officers also found Xanax pills in his belongings.

While detained, Smith requested a lawyer, and he was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail a few hours after officers found him hunched over asleep at the steering wheel, records said.

He is charged with three counts of possession of a hallucinogen and four counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

Smith was present at his first appearance hearing Friday morning, and his total bond was set at $21,000. As of about 1:30 p.m., the man is still in jail.

The state has until October 19 to officially file charges.