Orlando Woman Arrested And Charged With DUI After Crashing Vehicle Into Water
According to a report from Click Orlando, an Orlando woman has been arrested and charged with a DUI offense after a crash in Central Florida. She was deemed to be highly intoxicated at the time of the accident. Here, our Orlando DUI defense attorney explains what we know about this case and provides an overview of the charges that were filed.
Drunk Driver Crashes Car into Water at Public Beach in Volusia County
In an incident that was described as “shocking” by witnesses, a 26-year-old Orlando woman, Sarah Ramsammy, was charged with DUI and reckless driving after she drove her vehicle into the inlet at Smyrna Dunes Park. She reportedly narrowly missed a toddler. Law enforcement officers allege that Ms. Ramsammy was driving at 50 mph and disregarded beachgoers’ safety. She reportedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.153 at the time of the crash. She is now facing criminal charges for DUI, reckless driving, and disobeying a traffic control device.
Florida Law: High Intoxication DUI (BAC of 0.15 or Higher)
In Florida a motorist can be arrested and charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08 in or higher. If a driver is deemed highly intoxicated—defined as a BAC level of 0.15—he or she will face the risk of more severe criminal penalties. Here are key points to know:
- High Intoxication is a BAC of 0.15 or Higher: Florida law considers driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.15 or higher as a severe offense. This is nearly double the standard limit of 0.08.
- The Criminal Penalties for High Intoxication DUIs in Florida: First-time offenders can face up to 9 months in jail, fines between $1,000 and $2,000, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for at least six months. Penalties escalate for repeat offenses.
- Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device: Those convicted are often required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle, which prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath.
- License Suspension: Convictions usually result in driver’s license suspension for a significant period. That being said, hardship licenses might be available in certain circumstances.
Every person charged with a DUI in Florida is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you or your loved one is facing a charge for an excessive BAC DUI in Orlando, it is imperative that you have a top-rated defense attorney on your side.
Contact Our Orlando DUI Defense Lawyer for a Confidential Consultation
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando drunk driving defense lawyer has the skills and experience to take on highly intoxicated driving cases. If you or your family member was arrested and charged with a DUI for driving while “highly intoxicated”, we can help. Contact us today to set up your completely private initial consultation. From our Orlando law office, we handle DUI charges throughout all of Central Florida, including in Orange County, Seminole County, and Lake County.
Source:
clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/28/video-orlando-woman-accused-of-dui-crashing-vehicle-into-water-in-smyrna-dunes-park/
