Woman charged with DUI after swerving across I-275 lanes, FHP says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman was charged with driving under the influence after an off-duty Pinellas County deputy spotted her swerving across lanes on Interstate 275 on Wednesday night.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the deputy saw a white Pontiac SUV driver driving recklessly on the northbound lanes of I-275 near milepost 43 in Hillsborough County around 11:13 p.m.

The deputy said the driver was weaving side to side in her lane and swerving across multiple lanes.

According to an affidavit, the off-duty deputy activated his emergency lights and tried to pull the driver over for a traffic stop. However, the driver continued driving for seven miles, swerving across all three lanes.

At 11:22 p.m., the deputy said he conducted a PIT maneuver to force the driver to stop because he believed the driver was going to cause a crash, according to the affidavit.

Troopers who interviewed the driver said she had bloodshot and watery eyes and smelled of alcohol.

Officials said the woman, identified as Taylor Ellison, told them she had consumed several alcoholic beverages before driving and she was trying to go to Lakeland but was confused about her location. She also said she knew a police officer was behind her but she “was confused about pulling over.”

“Her confusion was consistent with alcohol consumption and poor memory, not confusion about how a traffic stop works,” the affidavit said.

Ellison was arrested and charged with DUI and failure to yield to law enforcement. A breathalyzer test showed that her blood alcohol level was .150, nearly two times the legal limit.

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