PALM HARBOR — A 24-year-old woman is facing multiple charges, including felony child neglect, after authorities say she caused a three-vehicle rollover crash while driving with a 1½-year-old child in her vehicle.
According to Florida Highway Patrol arrest affidavits, the crash occurred at approximately 10:29 p.m. Monday, July 6, near East Lake Road and Ruen Drive.
Investigators said Alyssa Renee Earley was driving a black 2009 Saturn when she traveled off the roadway, struck two other vehicles and a speed-limit sign, and overturned. Two uninvolved witnesses and the other drivers identified Earley as the driver of the Saturn and told investigators she caused the crash by running off the road.
Earley was transported to a hospital following the crash. A trooper reported that she had bloodshot and watery eyes, a flushed face, slurred speech, and memory problems. The affidavit also alleges she was belligerent with hospital staff, experienced mood swings, and smelled strongly of alcohol.
Investigators said Earley admitted driving the vehicle and told the trooper she had traveled from South Carolina to visit her boyfriend.
According to the affidavits, Earley displayed multiple indicators of impairment during field sobriety exercises. She allegedly refused to provide a breath sample after Florida’s implied-consent warning was read. A medical blood test reportedly showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.280, more than three times Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
A 1½-year-old child riding in the vehicle suffered a cut to the nose. The child was treated at a hospital and released.
The affidavits state that Earley was the vehicle’s sole adult occupant and was responsible for the child’s care and safety. Investigators alleged that driving with the child while heavily impaired and overturning the vehicle constituted culpable negligence.
Damage to the two vehicles and the roadway sign was estimated at approximately $9,000.
Earley was arrested on Tuesday and charged with felony neglect of a child, DUI with a person under 18 in the vehicle, refusal to submit to testing, and three counts of DUI involving property damage.