Drunk driver crashes his Jeep into guardrail in Coral Springs after breakup and is later found carrying cocaine
Coral Springs, Florida – A late-night crash on West Atlantic Boulevard led police to arrest a man who admitted he was heavily intoxicated following a breakup with his girlfriend. The incident unfolded on April 29, when 41-year-old Richard Ceballos of Pompano Beach lost control of his Jeep Cherokee and slammed into a guardrail, leaving behind a trail of damage—and a disturbing story.
Authorities responding to the scene discovered the black Jeep with heavy front-end damage, one of its wheels completely dislodged and lying in the road. The crash had occurred near a broken section of the guardrail, where it appeared the vehicle had violently veered off course. A witness told police she initially saw Ceballos still inside the vehicle, then later observed him lying on the ground nearby.
When officers approached Ceballos, they immediately noted several signs of intoxication. According to the police report, he was unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred, and he emitted a strong odor of alcohol. His eyes were described as bloodshot and watery. Despite the evidence, Ceballos was unable—or unwilling—to explain how the accident had occurred.
He refused to participate in any field sobriety tests and declined to provide breath or urine samples. During the process of securing medical clearance at Broward Health Coral Springs, Ceballos gave police a glimpse into what may have sparked the reckless behavior. “He was drunk and upset over the breakup,” officers quoted him as saying in the report.
That wasn’t the only troubling discovery of the night. As officers took him into custody, they found a small baggie of cocaine in his possession. That added a drug charge to an already serious list of offenses.
Ceballos was ultimately arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, driving under the influence resulting in property damage, and operating a vehicle with an expired tag. After being booked into Broward County Jail, court records show he was later released on bond.
The crash left behind visible damage, but fortunately, no other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported. Still, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous mix of emotional distress and substance abuse behind the wheel.
Coral Springs Police have not released further details, and it’s unclear if Ceballos has retained legal counsel.
As of now, his case remains pending in the court system.
