Two Florida school principals are facing DUI allegations after authorities say the same white Jeep was stopped twice in a single night, with each educator accused of driving under the influence just hours apart.
Jennifer Jimenez, 41, was taken into custody at about 2 a.m. on July 5 after deputies spotted the Jeep veering into an oncoming lane and hitting a curb, the Orlando Sentinel reported Tuesday.
Jimenez, who serves as principal of Pinecrest Academy Tavares, told deputies she had consumed alcohol earlier that day, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
In a police affidavit, deputies described her as “very unsteady and choppy,” adding that she “staggered and swayed as she attempted to stand still.”
After declining to perform field sobriety exercises, Jimenez was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
Authorities said her passenger, 45-year-old Christina Alcalde, also appeared too impaired to get behind the wheel, prompting deputies to order a rideshare and leave the Jeep parked nearby.
Roughly two and a half hours later, however, deputies encountered the same Jeep again — this time with Alcalde in the driver’s seat, police said.
Alcalde, principal of nearby Pinecrest Lakes Academy, was arrested after undergoing field sobriety testing, according to authorities.
Jimenez and Alcalde have both pleaded not guilty to DUI charges and refusing DUI testing.
Court records show each was released on $2,000 bond.
