A 47-year-old Winter Haven, FL woman was arrested this morning after she drove her vehicle into Lake Stella, according to the Auburndale, FL Police Department.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, Patricia Joan Dapson of 805 28th Street N.W. in Auburndale, FL was headed south on State Road 559 in Auburndale, FL around 2:36 a.m. Auburndale, FL police Lt. Thrasey Tucker stated.
Dapson was driving a 2008 Dodge around a curve near Lake Stella when she veered off the road into the water, Tucker stated. Dapson was uninjured and able to get out of the car and make it to shore.
Her blood-alcohol level was .249 percent, well above the legal limit of .08 percent, says Tucker.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office dive team will assist the police department in getting the vehicle out of the lake around 1 p.m. today.
According to DUI-USA. Drink Driving.org, the 1995 national statistics for drinking under the influence nationwide consists of:
• 1,436,000 people arrested nationally for drunk driving / DUI (Driving under the Influence)
• 11,994 fatal accidents nationally where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.8% or above
• 13,478 people were killed nationally in accidents where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.8% or above
• 2,416 people were killed nationally in accidents where at least one driver had a BAC between 0.01% and 0.07%
• 15,893 total deaths were caused nationally where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.01% or above
In the State of Florida the reported statistics during 1995 were:
• 51,718 arrested in Florida for drunk driving / DUI (Driving under the Influence)
• 717 fatal accidents in Florida where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.8% or above
• 803 people were killed in Florida in accidents where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.8% or above
• 154 people were killed in Florida in accidents where at least one driver had a BAC between 0.01% and 0.07%
• 956 total deaths caused in Florida where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.01% or above
Drinking and driving is not an image of coolness, in fact drinking pass the state limit in a bar is not cool. Drink responsible and drive respectively so that you will not become one of the reported statistics.
Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm that handles a variety of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents involving drunk drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, do not hesitate to seek legal representation. Call Rivas Law Group today at 877-299-5539 to schedule your free consultation.
