A Summerfield woman was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after trying to blame tooth pain for a crash on Sunday in Leesburg.
Leesburg police responded to East North Boulevard and Newell Hill Road to investigate the two-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers had to direct both drivers of the vehicles to move to the Live Blue Crab parking lot since both vehicles were causing road obstruction. Police made contact with 27-year-old Nakina Jane Baird who could not stop crying. Baird told officers she was driving a Lincoln pickup truck and stopped late, causing her to collide into the rear of a GMC pickup truck. The crash resulted in minor damages to both vehicles. While interviewing Baird, officers noticed that she was repeatedly swaying and had slurred speech. She also could not coherently explain how the crash happened. She was asked if she was currently taking mediations or experiencing sleep deprivation. She blamed a “rotten tooth” for causing her severe pain and influencing her behavior. She also stated that she took four Advil.
A passenger in Baird’s vehicle told deputies that she occasionally smokes marijuana and takes anti-depression medication when asked about Baird’s behavior.
Due to suspicion of the Baird driving under the influence, deputies asked if she would perform field sobriety exercises, to which she agreed to. After failing the exercises, Baird was placed under arrest and transported to Leesburg Police Department where she provided breath samples.
She was booked at the Lake County Jail released on $1,000 bond.