A Florida woman suspected of driving under the influence was arrested early Monday morning after law enforcement said she rear-ended a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shared in a press release that the crash happened just after midnight when a deputy in a marked Chevy Silverado was conducting an off-duty detail to provide roadway safety and traffic control for a construction business.
It was then that 24-year-old Courtney Lynnette Settle struck the deputy from behind in a 2011 Honda Accord.
More officers were called to the scene, where detectives say they observed Settle showing signs of impairment, leading to an arrest for DUI at the scene.
The deputy was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Driving under the influence is completely unacceptable, and there is no excuse for putting the lives of others at risk with such reckless behavior,” Sheriff Chad Chronister shared. “The consequences of impaired driving can be devastating and life-changing. We will not tolerate such disregard for the safety and well-being of our community.”
Settle has been charged with driving under the influence with personal damage and personal injury.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.