INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Matthew Anzaldi must’ve been REALLY thirsty.

Anzaldi, 25, told Indian River County sheriff’s investigators Jan. 28 he’d been driving recklessly, passing cars on the shoulder and speeding because he was parched and wanted a Pepsi, an affidavit states.

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What could be called the case of the dry-mouthed driver began about 2:09 p.m. with a call about a reckless red Toyota pickup traveling south on U.S. 1 near the 9900 block.

A deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description, saying it ran a red light and nearly struck other motorists. Investigators say the Toyota traveled fast and passed vehicles on the shoulder.

The Toyota eventually stopped, and the driver, identified as Anzaldi, said “he was driving recklessly due to being thirsty and wanted a Pepsi.”

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Available in bottles and cans, Pepsi is a sweet, non-alcoholic beverage known as a soft drink.

It’s roots stretch to 1898 when “chemist Caleb Bradham created Pepsi-Cola, a carbonated cola drink crafted to refresh and energize customers of his New Bern, North Carolina, drugstore,” according to a company website. Pepsi was the first major cola to offer a zero-calorie option with Diet Pepsi, introduced in 1964.

Meanwhile, Anzaldi also said he thought he heard bullets striking his pickup, though said they also could have been rocks.

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Anzaldi further said he was traveling to Sebastian to see a friend and was driving about 80 mph to elude someone he thought was chasing him.

Anzaldi apologized, and deputies found no signs he was impaired.

Deputies did find traffic citations from Melbourne police earlier in the day related to speeding and failing to show his driver's license.

Anzaldi, of Merritt Island, was jailed on a reckless driving charge.

It’s unclear whether he got a Pepsi.

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