Leslie Joan Strickland : “Tesla DUI Crash on Howard Frankland Bridge”

Riverview Woman Arrested After Chaotic Pursuit on Howard Frankland Bridge

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Riverview woman found herself in hot water after a tumultuous pursuit on the Howard Frankland Bridge late Sunday night, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to troopers, the FHP received numerous calls around 9:01 p.m. regarding an erratic driver in a white Tesla on I-275 near the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Witnesses reported that the Tesla was swerving in and out of its lane, abruptly changing speeds, and coming dangerously close to other vehicles on the road, as stated in an FHP arrest report.

A trooper who attempted to pull over the vehicle recounted that the Tesla even scraped against a concrete wall and accelerated to 80 mph when the trooper initiated a traffic stop.

“The vehicle’s erratic driving behavior, almost colliding with other motorists, necessitated an urgent need to bring the vehicle to a halt,” the trooper explained. “I performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, but the driver managed to steer out of it and continue driving. I had to execute a second, more forceful PIT maneuver to finally bring the vehicle to a stop at northbound I-275 milepost 45.”

Photos from the Scene

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The FHP reported that the driver, identified as 32-year-old Leslie Joan Strickland of Riverview, displayed bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, difficulty maintaining balance, slurred speech, and a general state of confusion.

“The defendant declined to provide breath samples following the implied consent warning,” the trooper stated. “After being read her Miranda rights, the defendant confessed to having ‘a few’ drinks but refused to provide further details.”

Strickland was subsequently charged with driving under the influence and fleeing to elude.