Clearwater police arrest three after wrong-way driver triggers crashes on Courtney Campbell Causeway

Clearwater Police officers arrested three drivers early this morning on DUI and other charges after a series of crashes on the Courtney Campbell Causeway that started with a wrong-way driver.

Just after midnight, multiple 911 callers reported a car going eastbound in the westbound lanes of the causeway. After one crash, the driver and passenger of the wrong-way vehicle switched positions and the car continued the correct way in the westbound lanes of the causeway. It turns out that both drivers were impaired.

Officers who were in the area conducting directed patrols for DUI enforcement were able to stop the car nearby on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.

In the meantime, a Clearwater Police officer who had responded to one of the related crashes was assisting that driver when his patrol vehicle was struck by another drunken driver. The officer was not injured but his vehicle sustained serious damage.

The occupants of the wrong-way vehicle were identified as 23 year-old Juan Caraballo Guerrero of Tampa and 30 year-old Veronica Tejada of Spring Hill. Caraballo Guerrero, the initial driver, was charged with DUI with property damage, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of a crash and possession of marijuana. Tejada was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana.

The driver who crashed into the police vehicle was 33 year-old Maria Perdomo of Palm Harbor. She was charged with DUI.

All three were booked in to the Pinellas County Jail.

As part of spring break, Clearwater Police officers have been conducting enhanced DUI enforcement on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Memorial Causeway and other city of Clearwater roads. That effort will continue for the next few weeks.

“In today’s era of ride shares and designated drivers and other alternatives, there is no excuse to get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking,” said Police Chief Dan Slaughter.

No injuries were reported in any of the crashes this morning.