DUI Suspect Blames Friend Who Had to Pee for Reckless Driving: ‘I Know My Rights’
A woman's traffic stop in Palm Beach, Florida, is going viral for her unique excuse for speeding.
In a video shared to the Body Cam USA YouTube page , an officer pulled over a group of three women who were traveling at 67 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone on July 26. According to court documents viewed by the National Enquirer , the driver was Ashley Baluja.
When asked about her speed, she said one of her passengers really had to pee and she was trying to get her home so she wouldn't urinate in her seat. Baluja advised the police officer that her friend's house was very close by and they were just trying to get home.
While the video shows the trio of women laughing at Baluja's admission, the traffic stop took a turn from there. According to an arrest affidavit, the officer who pulled them over smelled alcohol coming from the car. He advised Baluja to step out of the vehicle so he could talk to her away from her friends and determine if the smell was coming from her or them.
Body Cam USA/YouTube
Baluja initially refused but eventually stepped out of the car to chat with the officer. When she was asked to do some roadside field sobriety exercises, Baluja refused. She continued to say, "I know my rights," and informed the officer she worked at a law firm.
However, the cop informed her that, while she is allowed to refuse a sobriety test, he would have to make his determination to arrest her based on the information he'd already collected. In the affidavit, the officer said Baluja exhibited "watery glassy eyes and mumbled thick speech."
In the video, Baluja began to walk back toward her vehicle and the officer grabbed her arms to place her in handcuffs. That's when her friends exited the vehicle and the officer instructed them to get back in the car. Eventually, Baluja was taken to a police station where she refused a breath test, leading to more charges.
She has since pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a DUI test, reckless driving and unlawful speed. As of October 29, Baluja was arranging a DUI Diversion agreement that will see her avoid drinking and further infractions ahead of any trial.
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