Few Florida residents would argue that drinking and driving pose a danger to everyone on the road. Even so, people make mistakes that could lead to accusations of drunk driving. If that happens, they retain the right to defend themselves against DUI charges.
A 21-year-old woman, her boyfriend and their child were recently involved in a fender bender. Her vehicle crashed into the back of another vehicle that then spun out. The debris from the accident caused some damage to a third vehicle as well. The preliminary reports of the incident identify the woman as the driver.
Upon questioning her at the scene, police say she voluntarily told them that she was intoxicated. Officers also indicated that they smelled alcohol on her, she slurred her speech and her eyes appeared glassy. Officers went on to note that she supposedly kept asking to remove her pants even though she was wearing a bathing suit. She was taken into custody on suspicion of drunk driving and faces charges of threatening a public servant, DUI with person under 18 in the vehicle and DUI with property damage. No further details regarding the accident were released.
The accident itself does not necessarily provide proof of a DUI since many people have rear-end collisions without being impaired. Officials will need to prove that the woman was driving the vehicle and that she was legally intoxicated at the time. Even though she allegedly said that she was drunk at the time, she still reserves the right to defend herself and is presumed innocent until — and only if — proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a Florida criminal court.
