Florida DUI News

The Florida Legislature, motto: “We never saw a due process right we wouldn’t trample on”, has proposed legislation which would require the installation of an ignition interlock device immediately after a driver refuses to submit to a breath test. HB197/SB296 read, in pertinent part: “The person shall be told that his or her failure to submit to any lawful test of his or her breath will, for a first refusal, result in the suspension of the person’s privilege to operate ... Read More »

(Mugshot: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office) BELLEAIR BLUFFS, Fla. (WFLA) — A minor league baseball player was arrested Saturday after crashing his vehicle while under the influence, according to Pinellas County deputies. 23 year old, Konnor Ash was sitting outside his vehicle when deputies arrived. The crash caused $20,000 in damages, reportedly. Ash suffered minor injuries but required stitches for his facial wounds. Read rest of article here. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– Young Mr. Ash’s statements, admitting to driving may be protected and inadmissible ... Read More »

Photo from WPLG 10 and Broward County Sheriff’s Office Authorities in Broward County have made an arrest following a fiery traffic crash that happened Saturday morning. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, a call came in at approximately 5 a.m. Saturday regarding a crash near the 1100 block of South State Road 7 in North Lauderdale. North Lauderdale Fire Rescue workers and BSO deputies responded and found two vehicles that had crashed and subsequently caught fire. Fire crews quickly extinguished ... Read More »

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured after being hit by a drunk driver in Tampa on Sunday. According to a release from the sheriff’s office, the crash happened just after 6 a.m. at North Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road. The deputy was on his way to his patrol location and stopped at the intersection. The deputy was taken to the hospital with an upper-body injury, according to the sheriff’s office. The occupants of ... Read More »

Volusia County Division Of Corrections booking photo shows Jeff Hardy. Pro wrestler Jeff Hardy was arrested for driving under the influence and other charges in Volusia County, Florida earlier this month. Court records reflect that Hardy is charged with a felony DUI (3rd within 10 years) as well as driving with a suspended license. Hardy, 44, was stopped by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper after receiving calls about an impaired driver on I-95 near Daytona Beach. Hardy wrestled in the ... Read More »

File photo of Florida Highway Patrol cruiser (WJXT 2020) OCALA, Fla. ClickOrlando.com – A 16-year-old Ocala boy was arrested Friday on DUI manslaughter charges in connection with a January crash in Citrus County that killed an 18-year-old Florida woman, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The FHP said Antonio Villalbazo was taken to the Citrus County Jail and faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious injury, possession of cocaine, driving without a driver’s license resulting in death and vehicular homicide. ... Read More »

By The Associated Press • Published May 9, 2022 • Updated on May 9, 2022 at 10:41 am Photo: Ormond Beach Police Department A World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer is accused in the DUI death of man in a traffic crash earlier this year, authorities said. Tamara “Sunny” Sytch was arrested Friday night at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach, according to a social media post by the Ormond Beach Police Department. The March 25 crash in Ormond ... Read More »

(Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office) South Florida Sun-Sentinel  (April 6, 2022) After the death of two Royal Palm Beach Community High School students, the man accused of driving under the influence and up onto a sidewalk, slamming into a group of teenagers who were waiting for their school bus, has been arrested. Angel Antonio Lopez, 57, of Royal Palm Beach, is facing two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, one count of driving under the influence causing ... Read More »

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Dramatic video of a Sarasota woman crashing into a state trooper’s vehicle while under the influence was released by the Florida Highway Patrol on Monday. The video shows Kristen Kay Watts, 52, of Sarasota driving her BMW north on I-275 at a high speed when she approached a road closure that was put in place for the Armed Forces Skyway 10K Race on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Watts nearly crashed head-on with a vehicle operated ... Read More »

A second or subsequent refusal to submit to a breath, blood or urine test in Florida carries enhanced penalties. Recent changes, effective October 1, 2021, have complicated matters for drivers. Under the former statute, a refusal resulting from a boating under the influence arrest carried only a $500 civil penalty, a possible misdemeanor charge, and no driver license implications . Florida Statute 327.352.  A second refusal from a motor vehicle arrest carried an eighteen-month license suspension and a possible misdemeanor ... Read More »