Carolina Country Music Festival organizer charged with DUI, other traffic violations

One of Carolina Country Music Festival’s main organizers was arrested during the early hours of Saturday morning in connection with driving under the influence, Myrtle Beach jail records show.

Robert “Bob” Durkin, 46, is charged with DUI, first offense, along with improper backing, no vehicle registration and an uninsured motor vehicle violation, according to Myrtle Beach police records.

Myrtle Beach officers arrested Durkin about 4 a.m. after being called to a crash in the area of 26th Avenue North and North Kings Highway, an incident report states.

While at the scene, and unrelated to the crash, officers said they noticed a vehicle, driven by Durkin, stop in the roadway, back up, and hit a vehicle behind him, the report says.

Police who interviewed Durkin said he had an “overwhelming odor of alcohol,” the report states. He was then given several field tests for sobriety. Authorities said he didn’t follow a line correctly and couldn’t stand on one leg without swaying and using his arms for balance in some of the tests given, the report states.

He was then taken to the Myrtle Beach Jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample, according to the report.

Durkin, of Charlotte-based Full House Productions, has been a key leader in bringing CCMF to downtown Myrtle Beach. The festival, which hosts a star-studded country music lineup, kicked off Thursday and runs through Sunday. This is the event’s third year.

This story was originally published June 10, 2017 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Carolina Country Music Festival organizer charged with DUI, other traffic violations."