Possible DUI Charge in Hernando Bus Crash

According to a Hernando County sheriff’s report, a 2006 Toyota slammed head-on into a school bus on County Road 550 earlier this week. The driver, Michelle Sutton, allegedly had a suspended license and may be charged with driving under the influence.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that Sutton’s car was traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of the oncoming lane of traffic before colliding with the bus. Sutton was taken to the hospital in serious condition. According to the sheriff’s department, an ER nurse found a plastic bag containing about 18 grams of marijuana in Sutton’s shorts pocket.

Sutton told law enforcement that the shorts were her boyfriend’s. She was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. A charge of driving under the influence is pending while officials await toxicology results.

It is not unusual, in cases in which there are injuries, for blood to be drawn at the hospital for analysis. In all likelihood, law enforcement labs will test for indicia of alcohol and drugs in Sutton’s blood. Just as with a breathalyzer, law enforcement must follow specific procedures before collecting a blood sample for testing from a suspect. If all required procedures were followed and the labs show certain levels of either alcohol or drugs, Sutton could face a DUI charge in the future.

The bus was carrying 30 elementary school students. A few were treated at the scene for minor injuries.