IMPAIRED DRIVER HAD TODDLER IN VEHICLE

A PORT CHARLOTTE MAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY AFTER HE GOT INTO A WRECK WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE.  CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY 40 YEAR OLD SHANE FALSEN WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT A GAS STATION IN THE 2400 BLOCK OF TAMIAMI TRAIL JUST AFTER 8PM TUESDAY WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN MOMENTARILY AND RAN OVER A CURB.  A WITNESS TOLD DEPUTIES THAT WHILE FALSEN WAS ACTIVELY TRYING TO REVERSE THE VAN OFF OF THE CURB, A THREE YEAR OLD GIRL WITH HIM WAS RUNNING AROUND UNATTENDED IN THE PARKING LOT, AND AT ONE POINT WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE VAN.  FALSEN AGREED TO FIELD SOBRIETY EXERCISES AND REPORTEDLY DIDN’T DO WELL.  HE SUBMITTED A BREATH SAMPLE, WHICH DID NOT SHOW TRACES OF ALCOHOL, AND A URINE SAMPLE.  HE DID TELL DEPUTIES HE HAD SMOKED MARIJUANA AND TAKEN XANAX AND HYDROCODONE ABOUT TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.  FALSEN WAS CHARGED WITH DUI AND CHILD ABUSE.  HE WAS RELEASED AFTER POSTING A $3000 BOND, WHILE THE CHILD WAS RELEASED TO A FAMILY MEMBER.