A Minneola woman was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after admitting to drinking during a traffic stop at an elementary school.
A deputy on patrol observed 26-year-old Selena Saraswati Budhu driving a red Hyundai Tucson southbound on Hancock Road in Minneola at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The vehicle began making a right turn onto Education Avenue when it unnecessarily turned into the eastbound lane and almost into the straight lane. Seeing this, the deputy stopped the vehicle at Grassy Lake Elementary School, located at 1100 Fosgate Rd. He then requested Budhu’s license, the report said.
She became upset, apologized and stated she did not have her license with her because she left it in her vehicle. The Hyundai belonged to her mother. She appeared to have watery, glassy eyes with droopy eyelids as she explained this, the report said.
Budhu repeatedly stated she was sorry and admitted to drinking one alcoholic beverage when asked. But the officer suspected she had drunk more and asked her to step out of the vehicle. She complied, only to get on her knees and beg not to be taken to jail, the report said.
She subsequently agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises. Her performance, including swaying, more begging and apologizing, and not following instructions, led the deputy to believe she was under the influence. She later provided breath samples of 0.200g/210L and 0.186g/210L of breath, the report said.
Budhu was arrested on charge of DUI and booked at the Lake County Jail. The native of Trinidad was released after posting $1,000 bond.