Gainesville Police arrested a woman early Monday for allegedly driving after taking medication, drinking three bottles of beer and failing a DUI test.
Police arrested 44-year-old Jennifer Butler on charges of driving under the influence and damage to a person or property, according to the police report.
Butler was driving a white 1994 Buick LeSabre with a Florida tag while under the influence of alcohol.
Butler crashed into the car in front of her that was stopped at the traffic light while headed westbound on Northwest 39th Avenue, according to the report. Witnesses saw Butler exiting her driver’s seat.
An officer noticed Butler was showing several signs of impairment, such as bloodshot eyes, constricted pupils and droopy eyelids. Her breath also smelled like alcohol.
After questioning, Butler said she was confused about the accident, claiming the car in front of her didn’t slow down.
The officer said her recollection of events did not make sense.
Butler said she is taking several medications including Tramadol, Flexeril and blood pressure medication.
Butler said she also drank three bottles of Michelob Ultra around 3 p.m.
Butler performed poorly in sobriety exercises where she had difficulty keeping her head still and balancing while listening to instructions. She gave two breath samples of 0.178.
Butler was booked into the Alachua County Jail at about 3 a.m. on Monday. She was released the same day on her own recognizance at about 11:30 a.m.
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 6/3/2014 under the headline "Local woman drinks, drives and crashes"]
