LAKELAND, FL — Shocking moments unfolded shortly after midnight Wednesday when a suspected impaired driver traveled the wrong way on the Polk Parkway near mile marker 9 with her 7-year-old daughter inside the vehicle, prompting a Florida Highway Patrol trooper to use a PIT maneuver to bring the car to a stop.
Lakeland police alerted the Tampa Bay Regional Communication Center after an officer began tracking the wrong-way vehicle. An FHP trooper responding to the incident attempted to slow the driver by activating his emergency lights and siren while moving across both lanes of the highway.
According to FHP, the vehicle continued toward the trooper at approximately 50 to 60 mph. The trooper determined that attempting to block the vehicle head-on was too dangerous and tried unsuccessfully to clip the side of the car.
The driver continued eastbound in the westbound lanes, traveling against oncoming traffic. The trooper turned around, pursued the vehicle and eventually performed a successful PIT maneuver, disabling the car.
The driver was identified as Natalia Gorecki DOB: 12/10/2000. FHP said her 7-year-old daughter was found secured in a rear car seat and was later released to her grandmother.
During the subsequent DUI investigation, the trooper reported that Gorecki had red, glassy eyes, smelled of alcohol and displayed signs of impairment during field sobriety exercises.
Gorecki was booked on charges including DUI, child endangerment/neglect, fleeing to elude, reckless driving and refusal to submit to a breath test. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL & ARREST AFFIDAVIT
