> Accused wrong-way driver claims she 'wasn't driving' during DUI arrest on I-4 in Tampa
Accused wrong-way driver claims she 'wasn't driving' during DUI arrest on I-4 in Tampa
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Tampa police say a woman is facing DUI charges after she was caught driving the wrong way on Interstate 4 — and then trying to convince law enforcement she wasn't even the one behind the wheel.
The Tampa Police Department shared bodycam video of the arrest, which was made with the help of the Florida Highway Patrol early Saturday morning.
Just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police received a report of a silver Toyota Camry going about 60 mph westbound in the inside eastbound lane of I-4 after entering the interstate at 22nd Street.
Officers attempted to stop the car but said the driver, identified as 24-year-old Kristian Beall, refused to pull over, narrowly missing a marked police car.
After an FHP trooper's unsuccessful attempt at a tactical maneuver, a Tampa police officer performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to safely stop the car on I-4 between 22nd Street and 50th Street.
'I wasn't driving': Accused wrong-way driver says during arrest in Tampa
The bodycam video starts by showing officers and FHP troopers boxing in the car and asking Beall to step out.
"Do you realize that you’re going the wrong way on the interstate?" a Tampa police officer can be heard saying.
"On this interstate?" Beall asked in response.
The video then cuts to Beall trying to explain to an officer what happened.
"My husband's driving me home..." she said.
"What do you mean? You're driving home," the officer interjected.
"No, he’s driving us home," Beall said.
"You were just driving," the officer said.
"No, no, no, no, no, I wasn’t driving. I was in the passenger seat," Beall responded.
The video then reportedly shows Beall failing a field sobriety test and getting placed under arrest for DUI.
Police say her breath alcohol content (BAC) was measured at .199 and .202, both more than double the legal limit of 0.08.
Beall was charged with driving under the influence, aggravated fleeing to Elude, and fleeing to elude at a high speed. She was transported to the Orient Road Jail, where she was released on bond Monday evening.
“There is absolutely no excuse for driving under the influence,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. “There are many safe and affordable alternatives available, including ride-sharing services, taxis, and designating a sober driver. If you choose to have adult beverages, make the right choice to protect yourself and everyone else on the road.”