A Florida man is facing DUI charges after deputies say he continued driving down a busy highway while his car was actively on fire—an incident that unfolded on Friday, January 23, in Brevard County and quickly spiraled into a dangerous emergency.
According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were already responding to a brush fire near U.S. 192 around 6:20 p.m. when they noticed something alarming nearby: a sedan traveling down the road with heavy smoke pouring from it.
According to WFLA, witnesses later told investigators that the situation escalated quickly.
The driver, identified as 60-year-old Patrick Rinaldi, was first seen pulling over briefly as smoke rose from beneath the vehicle. A bystander reportedly turned around to help, but Rinaldi reentered traffic and kept driving.
Moments later, flames overtook the car. Despite that, he allegedly continued down the highway until the fire made it impossible to go any farther.
By the time deputies arrived, a roughly 75-foot stretch of land along the roadway had been scorched, with parts still burning.
Brevard County Fire Rescue worked to extinguish the vehicle fire, which authorities say had already sparked a wildfire that spread hundreds of feet from the road.
Adding to the seriousness of the situation, officials said Rinaldi’s wife was inside the vehicle during the ordeal. In a statement posted by the sheriff’s office, officials said Rinaldi “was barely able to help his wife escape from the fire” once the car finally came to a stop.
Deputies noted several signs of impairment when they spoke with Rinaldi at the scene. An arrest affidavit described a strong odor of alcohol, along with “bloodshot, watery, and glassy” eyes.
The report also stated that his movements were sluggish, his stance unsteady, and his speech slow and slurred.
Rinaldi reportedly told deputies he had consumed one beer before driving, though authorities said a large bottle of liquor was found on the passenger-side floorboard.
He declined to provide a breath sample when asked.
As a result, Rinaldi was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to DUI testing. The sheriff’s office later confirmed he was taken into custody and booked into the Brevard County Jail.