Hialeah driver charged with DUI after fleeing into Keys tiki bar

A Hialeah man has been charged with DUI, reckless driving and failing to stop after fleeing from a deputy and driving straight to a tiki bar.

Barry Pieger, 36, was driving fast and passing other cars in no-passing zones, at times forcing other cars off the road, according to Monroe sheriff’s spokeswoman Deputy Becky Herrin.

Deputy Juan Martin-Reyes was heading south at mile marker 29 around 6 p.m. Saturday when he spotted Pieger’s gray Toyota Tundra pickup truck behind him.

According to Martin-Reyes, Pieger slowed when he noticed the patrol car in front of him. Martin-Reyes moved over to let Pieger’s truck in front of him, then turned on his lights and siren to pull over Pieger.

“He finally turned off the road into the Looe Key Tiki Bar parking lot,” Herrin said. “He drove through the lot and stopped just short of the Shell gas station on Ramrod Key.

Martin-Reyes said he smelled strongly of alcohol.

Pieger was charged with reckless driving, failing to stop and fleeing and eluding the police, DUI, improper passing, and refusing to sign his citations.

This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 11:23 AM with the headline "Hialeah driver charged with DUI after fleeing into Keys tiki bar."