Drunk woman arrested after failing to move over for emergency vehicle
By: -----
Palm Coast, FL - Deputies arrested Fouzia Coopman, 56, of Palm Coast on Sunday morning after she failed to move over for a law enforcement vehicle conducting a traffic stop.
Just before midnight, deputies were stopped at the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Seminole Woods Boulevard in Palm Coast when they noticed a white Tesla approaching in the right lane. A deputy used his flashlight to indicate the driver should move to the left lane. Despite no traffic or obstructions preventing her from changing lanes, Coopman did not move over as required by Florida’s Move Over law.
When a deputy began following the Tesla, he observed the vehicle driving far below the posted speed limit and braking erratically. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at Seminole Woods Boulevard and Squash Blossom Lane.
A woman with medium skin tone and shoulder-length black hair, wearing a dark cape or gown, stands against a plain gray background for a mugshot photo She has a neutral expression
During the stop, the deputy noticed Coopman had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. When asked for her license, registration, and insurance, Coopman had difficulty locating the documents and ultimately could not provide her registration and insurance.
Deputies asked Coopman to perform field sobriety exercises, which she initially agreed to do. However, as deputies tried to explain the exercises, Coopman mumbled incoherently to herself and stared at the ground, failing to complete any of the exercises.
After her arrest, Coopman was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she refused to submit to a breath test. She was charged with DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing.
“When an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road, the law requires that you move over for the safety of emergency vehicles and workers,” Sheriff Staly said. “This woman did not do that, likely because she was intoxicated, so she earned herself a ride to the Green Roof Inn.”
Coopman was later released on a $3,000 bond.