A South Carolina man deputies pulled over on suspicion of drunken driving sprayed Axe body spray in his mouth to mask the smell of alcohol, officials said.

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Spartanburg County deputies conducted a traffic stop Saturday night on a car that was speeding and swerved into another lane, The State of Columbia reported, citing a Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office incident report.

The driver, identified as Efren Mencia-Ramirez, “was spraying Axe body spray in his mouth when (the deputy) approached to cover the smell of alcohol on his breath,” according to the report.

Mencia-Ramirez had an open bottle of beer in his lap, deputies said. There was a 12-pack of beer on the passenger floorboard, and 11 of the 12 cans had been opened, according to the report.

Mencia-Ramirez told deputies he had only drank one beer, the report said.

Deputies arrested Mencia-Ramirez and charged him with driving under the influence after he reportedly failed field sobriety tests. At sheriff’s office headquarters, Mencia-Ramirez provided a breath sample that yielded a .15 blood-alcohol content, which is nearly twice the legal limit, the report said.

Mencia-Ramirez was charged with DUI, open container, no proof of insurance and no valid S.C. driver’s license.

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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