A Fruitland Park woman was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after attempting to enter a fire station.
An officer noticed 43-year-old Krista Maree Adkins driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe ahead of her in the area of U.S. Hwy. 27/441 and South Grays Airport Road around 1:50 a.m. New Year’s Day, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
The vehicle was in the right southbound lane when it activated its turn signal and began traveling in the bike lane for about 100 yards. At the same time, it repeatedly hit the brakes while seeming to search for a turn by slowing, veering right and continuing straight. It ultimately turned right onto Spring Lake Road where an attempted traffic stop was initiated, the report said.
However, Adkins did not react to the emergency lights behind her, instead continuing westbound at the speed limit. It was not until the officer turned on a siren that she eventually stopped in front of the bay door at Lake County Fire Station 53, located at 2505 Spring Lake Road. She then quickly got out, looked at the patrol vehicle and tried to walk to the door of the station, the report said.
The officer commanded her to get back in her vehicle, to which she complied. She was also told to stop reaching around her vehicle, and she advised that she was trying to call her husband who worked at the station. She struggled to find her driver’s license but eventually gave it to law enforcement, the report said.
While speaking to Adkins, the officer saw her eyes were bloodshot and watery. She smelled like alcohol, too, which she said was from having a couple glasses of wine at a friend’s house. She waited for about an hour before leaving, the report said.
Adkins subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises. But her performance, including losing her balance several times, spinning and not following instructions, led the officer to conclude she was under the influence, the report said.
She later refused to provide a breath sample and started to shout about wanting a lawyer. She was uncooperative, screamed at the officer and stated she did not want to talk. It was during this conversation that the officer noticed a purple stain, which looked like wine, on Adkins’ sweater, the report said.
Adkins was arrested on charges of DUI and refusal to submit to blood alcohol level test. She was also given a traffic citation for failure to maintain a single lane. She was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $5,500 bond.