A substitute teacher in Fort Myers, Florida, has been charged with a DUI after she was allegedly found unconscious in her vehicle at her school’s pickup line. Reportedly, the woman has prior DUI convictions.
As reported by Gulf Coast News, citing an arrest report issued by the Fort Myers Police Department, the incident took place on Thursday, May 14, at Fort Myers Middle School, located on 3050 Central Avenue.
The report details that a bystander informed a school resource officer that a driver, later identified as 49-year-old Jennifer Lynn Lenison, had fallen asleep behind the wheel of her silver Subaru Impreza.
Authorities were called, and while it was initially believed that Lenison was having a medical episode, officers soon unveiled a completely different situation.
Driver Allegedly Intoxicated
A FMPD responding officer approached Lenison’s Impreza and, as per the report, it was determined that the 49-year-old substitute teacher was intoxicated.
The officer grabbed the woman’s car key until the woman became sober and someone could drive her to pick it up, police said. Then, a few attempts to wake her up proved successful, but the officer allegedly smelled alcohol and noted that the woman was slurring her speech and struggling to keep her balance.
Sobriety Exercises Failed
According to the report, the Florida substitute teacher underwent multiple field sobriety exercises. The woman is accused of being unable to stand up straight with her hands by her side, often resorting to grabbing officers to prevent a fall.
Then, as per the police, Lenison failed to keep her head still for an observation, having bloodshot watery eyes. Finally, she was allegedly incapable of performing a one-legged stand exercise. Instead, she chose to sit on the ground.
Arrested and Charged, Past DUI Convictions
Following the unsuccessful tests, Jennifer Lynn Lenison was placed under arrest. A vehicle search ensued, and officers allegedly found an open Vodka bottle, partially consumed. Furthermore, Gulf Coast News reported that her blood alcohol content was .37, which is more than four times Florida’s legal driving limit.
The outlet reported that Lenison was charged with driving under the influence – unlawful blood alcohol content – 0.15 or higher, or with a person under 18 in a vehicle.
Police revealed that Lenison has two prior DUI convictions from August 27, 2015, and October 13, 2021. If the 49-year-old woman is convicted of a third DUI, and since her last conviction occurred less than 10 years ago, she could face up to 5 years in state prison and have her driver’s license revoked for 10 years, among other penalties.