Two Florida school principals were arrested in Lake County, Florida on DUI charges stemming from separate incidents involving the same car, according to a report.
Jennifer Jimenez, 41, was driving her car with passenger Christina Alcalde, 45, when they were pulled over around 2 a.m. on July 5. According to a police report, officers observed Jimenez swerving a white Jeep into the opposite lane and driving over a curb, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The women have been identified as local school principals.
Alcalde reportedly identified her place of work as Pinecrest Lakes Academy, where she is listed as its principal, WESH 2 reports. Jimenez, who did not provide police with her employment address, is principal at Pinecrest Academy Tavares, the Sentinel reports.
Both schools are charter schools.
After she was pulled over, Jimenez reportedly was asked if she had had any alcohol that day. She said she had, according to police. A police affidavit claims that Jimenez's walking was "very unsteady and choppy" and said that she "staggered and swayed as she attempted to stand still,” the Sentinal reports.
She then told police that her passenger, Alcalde, was "worried about me" because they are both education administrators.
Officers asked Jimenez to perform a field sobriety test, but she declined and was subsequently taken to the Lake County Jail for processing, WESH 2 reports.
The responding officers said in their report that they deemed Alcalde unfit to drive, and ensured that she was taken home via a rideshare. Police parked the Jeep — which belongs to Alcalde — near where the spot where they pulled Jimenez over.
Then, approximately two and a half hours later, officers said they pulled over the same vehicle, and found Alcalde behind the wheel.
The responding officer reportedly asked Alcalde why she was out driving. She allegedly said she was trying to bail Jimenez out of jail.
"Like I'm not meaning to do anything wrong. I'm way better," Alcalde allegedly said, WESH 2 repots.
Alcalde was given a field sobriety test and was then arrested.
Both of the women have pleaded not guilty to DUI and for refusing to submit to DUI testing. They both were released on $2,000 bonds.
The Independent has requested comment from the schools.
