Two Central Florida school principals were arrested on DUI charges just hours apart after separate traffic stops involving the same vehicle, according to police reports and newly released body camera footage.
Jennifer Jimenez, 41, was driving a white Jeep with Christina Alcalde, 45, in the passenger seat when Clermont police stopped her in Lake County around 2 a.m. on July 5. Authorities say the Jeep weaved in and out of lanes, crossed into oncoming traffic multiple times and ended up on a curb.
The officer reported smelling alcohol and said Jimenez seemed unresponsive and was blinking unusually slowly, according to a probable cause affidavit. Jimenez reportedly told officers he had consumed alcohol earlier in the day but refused to do field sobriety training.
Jimenez was arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail. Officers also determined Alcalde was unfit to drive and arranged for a rideshare to take him home. Alcalde’s Jeep was parked near the road closure.
About two and a half hours later, officers stopped the same Jeep again and found Alcalde behind the wheel. She reportedly told police she was trying to go to jail to get Jimenez out on bail.
“I didn’t mean to do anything wrong. I’m much better,” Alcalde told officers, according to WESH 2.
Alcalde conducted field sobriety training before being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
Jimenez is the principal of Pinecrest Academy Tavares, and Alcalde is the principal of Pinecrest Lakes Academy. Both schools are charter schools located in Lake County.
Both women have pleaded not guilty to charges related to drunk driving and refusing to submit to a field sobriety test.
