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Bloodmobile Driver Charged With DUI
POSTED: 7:05 am EST January 27,
2006
UPDATED: 7:08 am EST January 27,
2006
Police put the brakes on a bloodmobile during an unusual DUI in Jacksonville, Fla.Two off-duty police officers pulled over the bloodmobile Sharon Dunlap was driving after they said she ran a red light, according to a WJXT-TV report.One of the officers said he smelled alcohol on the driver's breath and said her speech was slurred.
"In the course of the interview, these officers felt like this individual may be operating the vehicle under the influence. They felt it best at that time to conduct a series of tests that would allow the officers to determine whether or not she was driving under the influence," said Rick Wood, of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.Police then arrested Dunlap and charged her with driving under the influence and running a red light.A plaque on the wall at the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance shows employees who demonstrate outstandingly safe driving records. Sharon Dunlap's name is among those on that wall.However, on Wednesday, Dunlap showed anything but safe driving, according to the report. Police said she was driving drunk.Ed Lawson is the director of donor resources for the Florida Georgia Blood Alliance.Lawson said they have not seen a situation like Dunlap's in more than 10 years. He also said they are still unsure if Dunlap will continue her employment at the alliance."What I can tell you, is that we are drug-free workplace, that we screen workers at the point of hire, and that the folks that are driving our motor vehicles are screened on a regular basis and on a quarterly basis to ensure that drugs and alcohol are not in the workplace," Lawson said.Dunlap made her first appearance before a judge on Thursday when she pleaded no contest to DUI. She was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 100 hours of community service. She also lost her license for six months.
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