Wildwood woman wearing NFL jersey stopped with nine open beer cans in her backseat

A Wildwood woman wearing an NFL jersey was arrested on a charge of drunk driving after she was found with nine open beer cans in her backseat.

Police observed the driver of a red Ford Mustang, later identified as 60-year-old Janice Luree Woods, traveling east on County Road 466A at about 8:23 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.  

It was apparent from the headlight pattern that the vehicle was swerving back and forth within the lane. Once it passed the officer, he observed it to have no rear lights. The officer proceeded to initiate a traffic stop around County Road 466A and Rose Avenue as a result, the report said. 

The vehicle came to a complete stop at the intersection with a green light. As the officer exited his patrol car, the vehicle began moving east through the intersection. The officer activated his siren, and Woods continued slowly but did not stop. The officer then turned off all emergency lights and continued to follow the vehicle. It eventually came to another complete stop in the parking lot  the Circle K, the report said. 

The officer met Woods as she exited her vehicle. Upon approaching her, he could smell the strong odor of alcohol on her breath that was made stronger when she spoke. She was detained in handcuffs for further investigation and placed in the rear of his patrol car. The report noted that she was unsteady on her feet when walking and slurred her words. When asked if she had been drinking, Woods originally answered no but later stated she had a few beers. 

Woods was subsequently asked to participate in field sobriety exercises, to which she agreed. She advised that she was diabetic and had not checked her blood sugar in quite some time. As such, Lake County EMS came to medically clear Woods before she performed the exercises, the report said. 

Due to the circumstances and her performance during the exercises, Woods was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. She was transported to the Lake County Jail where she twice refused to submit to a breath test. However, about nine open beer cans were later found behind the passenger seat, the report said. 

Additionally, a criminal history check revealed she had a previously guilty conviction for driving under the influence in 2019. She also had a suspension on her license from August, the report said. 

Woods was ultimately charged with DUI (second offense). She was also issued citations for unknowingly driving with a suspended license and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. Bond was set at $2,500 with a court date planned for Nov. 20.