BREVARD SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY: While You Were Sleeping, BCSO Deputy Ed Hamilton Was Out Peacekeeping

By  //  May 29, 2023

Mark Karim was completely passed out behind the wheel of a truck on I-95

Deputy Edward Hamilton was responding to a call where a truck was reportedly stopped in the right-hand lane, obstructing traffic at mile marker 199 on I-95. Mark Karim, above, was completely passed out behind the wheel with the vehicle still in drive and his foot on the brake. An additional search of the vehicle further revealed a second firearm that was concealed under the driver’s seat, and as you can see in the photograph, it was fully loaded with an extended magazine. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – So early Saturday morning at 2:44 a.m., while we were all at home sleeping safe and sound in our beds, Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Edward Hamilton was responding to a call where a truck was reportedly stopped in the right-hand lane, obstructing traffic at mile marker 199 on I-95.

As Deputy Hamilton arrived on the scene, he observed a pickup truck that was completely blocking the right-hand lane, and as he approached the vehicle, it didn’t take very long to figure out why.

The driver of the truck, Mark Karim, was completely passed out behind the wheel with the vehicle still in drive and his foot on the brake.

Karim was completely unresponsive, so Deputy Hamilton had to awaken him carefully, remove him from the driver’s seat, and quickly get the vehicle off the roadway before it could cause a major crash on I-95.

As all of this was taking place, Deputy Hamilton also observed a handgun on the driver’s side floorboard and a 12-pack of Twisted Tea on the passenger side floorboard, with only six remaining unopened. In police work, we call that a clue!

With the vehicle now safely off the roadway, Deputy Hamilton turned his attention to Karim, and of course, no surprise to anyone, he reeked of alcohol and checked all the other boxes of a person who was intoxicated.

You know, stuff like slurred speech, bloodshot watery eyes, unable to stand still without swaying, and of course, my personal favorite…sound asleep at the wheel of a truck in the middle of I-95!

So early Saturday morning at 2:44 a.m., while we were all at home sleeping safe and sound in our beds, Deputy Edward Hamilton, above, was responding to a call where a truck was reportedly stopped in the right-hand lane, obstructing traffic at mile marker 199 on I-95. (BCSO image)

Karim advised Deputy Hamilton that he was in Orange County and had been to a strip club where he had consumed only one beverage. Based upon his level of intoxication, I am gonna guess that his one drink was served in a “Big Gulp” cup!

Karim was offered a field sobriety test which he declined and also refused to provide a breath sample, so he got cuffed and stuffed and transported to “Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge” where he was held on a $2,500 bond for Driving Under the Influence and Carrying A Concealed Firearm!

An additional search of the vehicle further revealed a second firearm that was concealed under the driver’s seat, and as you can see in the photograph, it was fully loaded with an extended magazine.

Great job by the citizen who called in the incident before someone got hurt and Deputy Hamilton for working diligently to keep our community safe “While You Were Sleeping!”

TYPE OF CALL: Vehicle Blocking Traffic At Mile Marker 199 on I-95
TIME OF CALL: 2:44 A.M.
RESPONDING UNIT: Deputy Edward Hamilton
ARRESTED: Mark Karim
BOND: $2,500.00
CHARGES: 1. Driving Under The Influence, 2. Carrying A Concealed Firearm

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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