Oldsmar Vice Mayor Arrested On DUI Charge

Oldsmar’s vice mayor is facing charges of drunk driving after Hillsborough County deputies say she crashed her Tesla into another vehicle while intoxicated.

Deputies say the 59-year-old woman first came to their attention via a 9-1-1 report that a red Tesla was driving in an erratic fashion in the mid-morning of August 12. Witnesses allegedly told operators that the vehicle then crashed into a second vehicle on W Hillsborough Avenue near Rice Avenue, pushing it into a third vehicle.

Upon arriving at the scene, deputies say they instantly noticed the signs of intoxication upon her. They say she had slurred speech and unstable movements when she exited the vehicle, and she was unable to answer questions about where she had been and where she was going.

Within the vehicle was more evidence of drunkenness, they say. An opened bottle of cinnamon whisky lie on the car’s floorboard, with two more allegedly residing in her purse. She returned a subpar performance on field-sobriety tests, they say, and declined to submit to a breath test for intoxication.

The Connecticut native was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail that afternoon on counts of third driving under the influence conviction and refusing to submit to testing. She was released that evening after posting a bond of $1,000.

The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand have been representing people charged with capital murder, felony drug charges, drunk driving, government fraud, and white-collar crimes for over a quarter century. Conact our office today to discuss your Tampa Bay-area state or federal charges.