This browser does not support the Video element.
Florida Man Games to debut in 2024
It ain’t the Olympics, but a group of Floridians plans to host competitions themed according to the collective antics of the beer-loving, gator-possessing, rap-sheet-heavy, mullet-wearing social media phenomenon known as "Florida Man."
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man has found himself behind bars after he allegedly whacked a man with a leaf blower after a fender bender, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Patrick Eittson, 60, was arrested and charged with burglary with battery and criminal mischief after the incident that unfolded on Hibiscus Drive in Leesburg late Saturday morning.
Deputies were called to the scene in reference to a car crash where one of the people involved was struck with a leaf blower by the other, according to an arrest affidavit from the sheriff's office.
The victim said he was trying to operate his GPS while driving, causing his work truck to hit a trailer attached to a truck, which then forced it to collide with another vehicle, deputies said. That's when Eittson ran out of the house his car was parked in front of, armed with a leaf blower.
Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Office
Eittson was "irate" and bashed the leaf blower into the hood of the man's truck, deputies said. The victim opened the door to his work truck, but Eittson met him at the driver's side door. The man tried to tell Eittson to "calm down," but he was socked with a leaf blower instead, according to deputies.
A witness said she saw Eittson climb onto the truck's step while the man was inside and striking him in the face, according to the affidavit. She told Eittson to back away, and he did until law enforcement arrived.
MORE FLORIDA MAN:
- Florida man jumps in canal to evade arrest after punching neighbor, deputies say: 'What are you doing?'
- Florida man, 14-year-old boy throw rocks at Circle K door to break in during pre-planned burglary: deputies
- 'Upset' Florida man, 76, backs over staff member at car show after he was kicked out, police say
- Florida man arrested for pooping on dead possum on street during rush hour, police say
Eittson was arrested and told deputies post-Miranda that he "did not strike the victim with the leaf blower but that he did strike the hood of the work truck," the affidavit said.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he remains held on $26,000 bond.