Wrong Way Driver Charged with DUI in Tampa

Wrong Way Driver Charged with DUI in Tampa

November 19, 2014

Wrong way driver charged with DUI in Tampa. On November 19th at 2:52 AM, Trooper Dennis Rich was on routine patrol monitoring southbound traffic on I-275 near Bearss Avenue when he received a BOLO for a wrong-way driver northbound in the southbound lanes of I-275 near Milepost 49.

Trooper Rich responded to the area in emergency mode with lights and siren activated. Near Busch Boulevard and upon cresting a rise in the roadway, Trooper Rich encountered the wrong way driver traveling in the inside lane.   The 2001 BMW X5 sport utility vehicle passed Trooper Rich who turned around behind the wrong way driver.  The wrong way driver stopped shortly thereafter along the outside shoulder. Upon contact, Nicolas Murcia, 39 of Tampa, appeared and acted heavily intoxicated.  Trooper Rich secured Murcia who soon after failed field sobriety exercises and was arrested for DUI.

Taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, Murcia refused to provide a breath sample.  Records show that Murcia also was arrested in 2007 and charged with DUI.

Video provided by FHP