Two Florida school principals face DUI charges after separate arrests early Friday morning, with authorities stopping the same white Jeep twice within a few hours.
Jennifer Jimenez, 41, the principal of Pinecrest Academy Tavares, was arrested around 2 a.m. July 5, after deputies observed her vehicle drift into an oncoming lane and strike a curb. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Jimenez admitted to drinking earlier in the day. A police affidavit described her as "very unsteady and choppy" and noted she "staggered and swayed as she attempted to stand still." She refused field sobriety testing and was subsequently arrested.
Her passenger, Christina Alcalde, 45, who is the principal of neighboring Pinecrest Lakes Academy, was deemed too impaired to drive by law enforcement. Deputies arranged a rideshare for Alcalde and left the Jeep parked nearby.
Approximately two and a half hours later, authorities initiated another traffic stop for the same Jeep, this time with Alcalde driving. She was arrested after failing field sobriety testing.
Both Jimenez and Alcalde have pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence and refusing a DUI test. Court records indicate each was released on a $2,000 bond.