A Villager who was arrested on a drunk driving charge said she was “embarrassed” when she couldn’t recite the alphabet during field sobriety exercises.
Debra Kaye Hall, 68, of the Village of Charlotte, had been at the wheel of a white 2015 Buick at 11:39 p.m. Friday when a Sumter County sheriff’s deputy noticed the registration had expired in December, according to an arrest report. She nearly hit a curb before she was pulled over near the Charlotte gate at Morse Boulevard and Hillsborough Trail.
There was “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from the vehicle and Hall admitted she had “a couple” drinks. She said she was “coming from her friend’s house.” Hall was “very lethargic” and fumbled when searching for her vehicle’s registration.
The Milwaukee native scolded the deputy.
“I don’t see why you can’t follow me just around the corner,” said the resident of 3405 Rabbit Run Path.
The deputy invited Hall to participate in field sobriety exercises. She said she did not have any physical impairments and said she works out three to four times per week. However, Hall said she is a diabetic. EMS personnel determined her blood sugar was “normal” at 102.
She struggled through the exercises, nearly losing her balance.
“I’m not going to lie, I’ve had too much to drink,” she admitted to the deputy.
Hall was unable to recite the alphabet and did not fare any better when she tried to sing the alphabet. She said she was “So embarrassed.”
She provided breath samples that registered .114 and .110 blood alcohol content.
She was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. She was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center on $1,000 bond.
