A member of the Kling Towing family called for his “personal” tow truck after causing a rear-end collision.
Ryan Scott Kling, 31, of Weirsdale, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence following the crash Friday night in Eustis in which his white SUV rear-ended a red Chevy passenger car driven by a man traveling with his 6-year-old daughter, according to an arrest report from the Eustis Police Department. They were not injured.
Kling’s white SUV left the scene of the crash, but was located by police at Northshore Drive and County Road 452.
Police handcuffed Kling, but he complained and asked that the handcuffs be removed, stating that he “works closely with the police.” He was asked if he had a gun, and Kling said he had a .38-special in his waistband “for personal protection due to his job as a tow truck driver.” He did not have a concealed weapons permit. He asked that his “personal” towing company respond to take possession of his vehicle.
It appeared Kling had been drinking and he claimed he’d consumed a single Bud Light beer at home. He reluctantly participated in field sobriety exercises and refused to submit to a breath test.
He was arrested on charges of possession of a concealed weapon and driving under the influence with property damage.
Kling was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $11,000 bond.
