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. Â The 2001 BMW X5 sport utility vehicle passed Trooper Rich who turned around behind the wrong way driver. Â The wrong way driver stopped shortly thereafter along the outside shoulder. Upon contact, Nicolas Murcia, 39 of Tampa, appeared and acted heavily intoxicated. Â 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. Â Records show that Murcia also was arrested in 2007 and charged with DUI.