An Ocala woman was arrested for driving under the influence after drifting out of her lane and poorly performing during sobriety exercises.
An officer observed 38-year-old Ashley Nicole Morales speeding in a light van on U.S. Hwy. 27/441 around 11:50 p.m. Thursday, March 5, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department. Radar confirmed she was going 73 mph in a 50-mph zone.
As the officer caught up to the vehicle, she saw it failed to stay in its lane. Morales also followed too closely to the vehicle in front of her and repeatedly tapped on her brakes. She drifted in her lane, ultimately moving into the right lane, the report said.
Her driving led to the officer initiating a traffic stop as the vehicle signaled a right turn. It then traveled into the bike lane until turning into The Cove Apartments, where it drove very slowly over a speed bump and stopped, the report said.
The officer approached Morales to find her holding her wallet, credit card and shorts in her lap. She initially stated she was just trying to get home before saying she was coming from her boyfriend’s house. She smelled strongly of alcohol and slurred her speech during this conversation, the report said.
While she searched for her license, the officer asked if she had anything to drink. She said no, paused and asked what she was looking for. The officer again asked for her registration, and she handed over an ID card, the report said.
Another officer then came to the traffic stop, noticing Morales had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on her breath. She refused to participate in field sobriety exercises at first, but agreed to step out of her vehicle. She looked unsteady and staggered while walking to the front of a patrol vehicle, the report said.
When told the consequences of not doing the exercises, she agreed to participate. She repeatedly asked questions during the exercises despite saying she understood the instructions before starting each one. Her performance, including laughing and losing her balance, led the officers to conclude she was under the influence. She later refused to provide a breath sample, the report said.
Morales was arrested on charges of DUI and refusal to submit blood alcohol level test. The Colorado native was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $3,500 bond.