Woman Arrested for DUI after Dropping off a Child at School | Blue Patrol Bodycam

On the morning of November 18, 2022, Indian River County Deputies were called to Sebastian River High School with a report of an apparently intoxicated female who was observed dropping off a child on school property. Corporal Macias initially arrived, and he was told by a school official that there was a woman behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. The woman, later identified as 37-year-old Tonya Mitchell, was asked to open her windows. When she opened the window, Corporal Macias could detect the odor of alcohol from her vehicle. When Corporal Macias asked Mitchell if she had been drinking earlier, she admitted that she was drinking earlier the previous night. She also told the officer that she had entered school property to drop off her niece at school.

Corporal Macias administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and she showed a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes and had distinct and sustained nystagmus in both the left and right eyes at maximum deviation. He also observed an onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. He then asked for a Deputy to respond to take over the investigation. Deputy Rispoli responded, and proceeded to administer additional field sobriety tests on Mitchell.

When Deputy Rispoli responded, she observed that Mitchell was unsteady on her feet, and her eyes were watery and glassed over. Mitchell initially agreed to perform additional field sobriety tests. She was swaying back and forth as Deputy Rispoli began to explain the process of the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. She was ultimately unable to complete the Walk and Turn or One Leg Stand tests.

Upon failing the field sobriety tests, Mitchell was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Deputy Rispoli subsequently asked Mitchell how much she had been drinking during the evening and early morning hours. She admitted to having approximately 8 fl oz. of wine followed by 3 to 4 12 oz. bottles of beer at Earl’s biker bar.

Mitchell was transported to the IRC Jail, and given the opportunity to take a breathalyzer test. The test results were 0.248, which is approximately three times the legal limit. A report was made to DCF via their abuse reporting system since Mitchell was endangering a minor passenger by driving while intoxicated.