A Clearwater man driving with his headlines turned off was arrested for driving under the influence after a deputy's cruiser struck his car, authorities said.



According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, 22-year-old Christian Brinsko was traveling south on Belcher Road around 12:40 a.m. with only the parking lights on his 2005 Saturn Ion turned on.

Deputy Steven Walcott was attempting to turn left from northbound Belcher onto Bell Cheer Drive. Wolcott didn't see Brinsko's car and hit it in the driver's side rear-wheel area, the sheriff's office said.

Brinsko was taken to a hospital, treated and released and then arrested for driving under the influence and causing property damage. Wolcott, who had been been heading home from off-duty detail, was not injured, the sheriff's office said.



Deputies also said narcotics appear to be a factor in the crash.