A Michigan snowbird was arrested on a drunk driving charge after reporting herself to the Florida Highway Patrol for crashing into a gate at a nature preserve.
A trooper was parked on the outside shoulder of the private driveway to Carney Island Recreation & Conservation area, located at 13275 SE 115th Ave., Ocklawaha, when he was approached by a white Chevy Trailblazer at 5:55 p.m. March 12, according to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver, later identified as 71-year-old BAH, came from behind the trooper while driving away from the park.
The vehicle had sustained extensive damage as its windshield was shattered and its right-side windows were completely shattered out. The trooper got out of his patrol vehicle and saw shattered glass all over the interior of the Chevy and H. Her eyelids were droopy, her eyes were red and watery, and her face was red, the report said.
H informed the trooper that she hit “something” in the park and wanted to report it. He instructed her to park along the shoulder. As she gathered her identifying information, she struggled with balance and steadiness. She also lacked dexterity with her papers, the report said.
As H showed the trooper her insurance, she swayed to her right and bumped into him. He verbally verified her information, and she spoke with a thick tongue and slurred. She often struggled with pronouncing words and fumbled over them, the report said.
The trooper could smell the strong odor of alcohol coming from H while standing next to her. Based on these indicators, he believed she was impaired by alcohol. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office sent out two deputies to assist in the subsequent investigation, the report said.
The private drive of the park continued south and had parking lots that branched off from the drive. The parking lots had metal gates at the entrances and exits. The deputies found a damaged gate with a bent metal stop sign attached to it, the report said.
The gate and stop sign had scrapes consistent with impact from a vehicle. The large wooden post attached to the gate was also split. On the pavement was a large amount of shattered glass from a vehicle. The damage to H’s vehicle was consistent with the crash scene and damage to the metal gate. The estimated cost of the damage to the gate and its attachments was $1,030, the report said.
The trooper finished the crash investigation and informed H of his suspicions that she was impaired. She agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, so he moved her to a parking lot just beyond the crash scene. She was read her rights and admitted to drinking three Ultra Light beers and two shots of tequila, the report said.
While speaking with H, she had mood swings and asked if the trooper asked about her deceased husband who passed recently. She would also repeat “exactly” after the trooper told her something, the report said.
During the exercises, H struggled to follow instructions and focus. The trooper addressed her refusal to follow instructions, and she became agitated. She continued to struggle with balance, swaying and starting before being told to, the report said.
The trooper continued giving instructions and demonstrations, during which H became extremely emotional, started crying and asked him to take her to jail. She refused to participate in the exercises further and said she would “fail.” She was then placed under arrest, the report said.
H voluntarily provided two samples of her breath on scene, resulting in 0.159 and 0.155. During transport her mood shifted to confident, happy and indifferent. She also burped, and the odor of alcohol filled the cabin of the patrol vehicle, the report said.
After being read her rights, Harkabusic stated she was alone driving in the park in her vehicle when she crashed into the gate. She then immediately drove to the exit of the park where she saw the troop’s vehicle, the report said.
H had no criminal history on file. She was a Michigan state resident but advised that she visits Florida during the winter months, the report said.
Hwas charged with DUI and DUI (damage to property or person of another). She was transported to Marion County Jail and released after posting $1,500.
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Source: villages-news
