An Ocala woman, who blew more than three times the legal blood alcohol content limit, faces a driving under the influence charge after she attempted to pass another vehicle on a double yellow line, crashed into it, and forced it into oncoming traffic.
On July 26, a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a vehicle crash involving injuries and road blockage on State Road 40.
During the deputy’s investigation, it was determined a black Honda Civic was driving recklessly behind another vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma, and was trying to pass over a double solid yellow line, according to the arrest report.
The Civic hit the front of the other vehicle and the Civic obtained a blown-out tire with front left damage and continued to drive. After the collision the driver of the Toyota lost control and drove headfirst into traffic, the report stated.
Per the driver of the Toyota, she reported after the crash occurred, she approached the Civic and observed 46-year-old Jennifer Kersten sleeping inside of the driver seat.
During the investigation, the deputy reported he smelled alcohol coming from Kersten’s breath and she seemed very confused. The deputy reported she began to fall asleep inside of her vehicle and had trouble standing up, the report stated.
During the field sobriety test, Kersten moved multiple times and closed one eye at a time, the report stated.
During the exercise, Kersten stated she was not okay to do the exercises, the report stated.
Upon taking a breathalyzer, Kersten’s first breath sample resulted in her BAC being 0.253 and the second breath test resulted in a BAC of 0.233, according to the arrest report.
Kersten was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail with a bond set at $500. She was released on July 28 and charged with a DUI. A court date is set for September 2 at 1 p.m., jail records show.