Two found sleeping in running vehicle

Posted 3/24/21

OKEECHOBEE — After reportedly falling asleep at the wheel, a local woman was charged with DUI

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Two found sleeping in running vehicle

Posted

OKEECHOBEE — After reportedly falling asleep at the wheel, a local woman was charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. On Wednesday, March 17 at approximately 7:15 p.m., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Misei Esquivel was dispatched to the Eagles Club on U.S. 441 Southeast in response to a call about an impaired driver. 

The deputy spoke with two witnesses who told her they saw the vehicle arrive and park. The occupants then appeared to go to sleep. One of the witnesses put her vehicle in a position to block their car in case they woke up and tried to leave. She then reached in and took the keys out of the ignition and placed them on the roof of their vehicle. She said the vehicle was in reverse and the driver’s foot was on the brake, but she was asleep.

Esquivel made contact with the driver, Heather Ellsworth, 40, and asked her if she had been asleep. According to the arrest report, Ellsworth told her she was looking for her phone charger so she could charge her phone, because she needed to make a call for work. When she looked up, she saw a group of people staring at her and her boyfriend.

Based on her field sobriety test, Esquivel placed her under arrest. Prior to putting her in the patrol car, Ellsworth was searched and a partially smoked joint reportedly fell on the ground. Esquivel asked her what it was, and Ellsworth reportedly placed her foot on top of it and dragged it on the ground. The joint later tested positive for Spice.

Bond was set at $3,000.

arrest, DUI, OCSO

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