Alachua woman charged with DUI after allegedly hitting child on bike

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

ALACHUA, Fla. – Patricia June Baldwin, 33, was arrested yesterday and charged with driving under the influence after she allegedly hit a child on a bicycle in Alachua. A spokesman for Alachua Police Department told us that the child had minor injuries.

An Alachua Police Department officer responded to the scene of the crash, near the intersection of NW 151st Place and NW 134th Terrace, at about 5:30 p.m. and reported that he smelled alcohol on Baldwin’s breath. Baldwin reportedly told the officer she’d had “about three beers” that afternoon. The officer reported that she slurred her words while speaking and had difficulty remembering her own phone number.

Baldwin reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

After Baldwin was transported to the jail, she reportedly refused to provide a breath sample and spontaneously told the officer she would “blow drunk” if she took a breath test. The officer then charged her with refusal to submit to a breath test by a person whose license was previously suspended for refusal to submit to a breath test.

Baldwin has been released from jail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

  • DUI kills more innocent people than guns every year yet there is no demand to get rid of alcohol like there is guns. Instead of a slap on the wrist for DUI let’s put some real laws on the books 1st time 6 months in jail 2nd one a year 3rd 2 years. the state of Tennessee just passed a law that if you kill someone under the influence you pay child support to their children until they are 18 years old

  • “This is Harvey Ward’s fault….somehow.” —Average Alachua Chronicle reader

  • Unfortunely like other states the law are set up to make DUI a minor mistake even when someone is injured as a result. She has already been released from jail. Hopefully the child was not seriously injured. She made a choice to drive impaired and needs the max.

    • Alcohol and drugs reduce the ability to make a sober choice. It’s often too late.

  • She needs some serious jail time and a loss of her driver’s license for at least ten years maybe even permanent revocation!

  • This is her second DUI. She could have easily killed that child. She is already out of jail! That is sick!! If you refuse to take the breath test you should go to jail for a year! First time! So many innocent people are killed by drunk drivers! There is no good excuse for not nailing these people to the wall! Most of the DUI’s are repeat offenders because they get off easy! That is wrong!!

  • I don’t understand why drunk drivers who kill and/or injure people aren’t treated just like any other criminal who assaults or murders someone.
    They choose to get drunk, then they choose to drive then when they kill or injury someone they’re almost “excused” because they were drunk. Makes no sense.

  • Is there a law enforcement test for VAxx induced driver disability yet?

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