A Fruitland Park woman was arrested for driving with a suspended license after being caught driving with only one brake light.
An officer observed the driver of a red Ford, later identified as 42-year-old Tonya Faye Chasteen, traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 27/441 with only one working rear brake light at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
The officer also noticed Chasteen had her seat belt buckled behind her back, rendering it useless. As a result, he conducted a traffic stop. He then explained the reason for the stop to Chasteen who advised that she did not have a license, the report said.
A check of Chasteen’s license status revealed she was ID card only for 10 suspensions dating from June 2021 to April 2024. These included failures to pay traffic fines, failure to appear, cancellation and a habitual traffic violation. An additional check of her driving history showed five convictions for knowingly driving while license suspended from July 2008, Aug. 2013, Sept. 2020, Jan. 2021 and Nov. 2023, the report said.
Chasteen was subsequently arrested on charge of knowingly driving while license suspended for habitual traffic offender (second or subsequent offense). The North Carolina native was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,500 bond.