A woman caught driving in the wrong direction in The Villages will serve 10 days in jail and lose her driver’s license for five years.
Joanna E. McDaniel, 35, of Ocklawaha, entered a plea of no contest Tuesday in Lake County Court to a charge of driving under the influence. She had a previous DUI conviction.
She was spotted driving in the wrong direction in January in Spanish Springs.
A police officer pulled over her van and suspected McDaniel had been drinking. McDaniel held up a 12-ounce can of Michelob Ultra, confirming the officer’s suspicion.
When she was asked to perform field sobriety exercises, McDaniel replied, “Can’t I just call a ride? I’m sorry for driving on the wrong side of the road.”
She refused to provide a breath sample and demanded a lawyer. She also refused to sign any citations or paperwork.
In addition to jail time and the loss of her license, she has been ordered not to possess or consume alcohol.
She has been placed on probation for a year.
