Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers have arrested a woman on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after a crash that happened this past weekend.
The AZ Family reports that on Sunday, September 22nd, Alexandra Holder-Amaral, 23, was driving her vehicle northbound on Loop 101 when she rear-ended another car which was pushed into a third vehicle in a chain-reaction crash.
Eyewitnesses say that Holder-Amaral stumbled out of her vehicle and attempted to flee the scene by climbing up a steep dirt embankment beside the roadway. She then came back to her vehicle and attempted to drive away from the scene of the crash.
When it was clear to her that her vehicle was disabled, she tried to hide behind a bush. The other drivers who were involved in the crash were able to locate Holder-Amaral and prevent her from leaving the scene until authorities arrived.
A spokesperson for DPS said in a statement that Holder-Amaral gave several indications of intoxication at the time of her arrest including the strong scent of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, incoherent speech and stumbling.
Along with signs of being under the influence of alcohol, DPS troopers at the scene detected the odor of both burnt and unburnt marijuana in the Holder-Amaral’s vehicle. During a vehicle search, troopers found a bag of marijuana, rolling papers, several bottles of THC, a glass pipe and other drug paraphernalia in Holder-Amaral’s purse.
She was arrested at the scene on suspicion of DUI, endangerment, failure to stay at the scene of an accident, drug possession, and other related charges. She was later released from custody and is scheduled for court appearances on October 7th and 14th.
