DUI: Woman Claims Learning To Drive On I-95 After Drinking Margaritas

Florida Highway Patrol Cuffs Boca Raton Woman After Alleged Incident Near Glades Road.

BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton woman was allegedly “learning to drive” was spotted weaving on I-95 near Glades Road in Boca Raton, then — according to police — admitted to drinking multiple Margaritas before getting behind the wheel. Jessie Cabrera-Parra, originally from Ecuador, is now facing a DUI charge. She lives in the 600 block of SW 2nd Avenue in Boca.

We are publishing the narrative of her arrest. It deserves a read. We thank Florida Highway Patrol for the very specific retelling of alleged events:

“On Monday, August 4th, 2024 at approximately 1:24 AM. I was on routine patrol in Palm Beach County, Florida. I was traveling southbound on Interstate 95 (State Road 9) approaching State Road 808 (Glades Road) when I observed a white in color Nissan Rogue failing to maintain its lane. The Nissan Rogue was traveling on and off the right paved emergency shoulder and braking suddenly with no vehicles or objects in the roadway ahead. I then observed the vehicle turn on its right turn signal, and the vehicle traveled into the outside exit lane to exit to State Road 798 (Palmetto Park Road). After changing lanes, I observed the vehicle straddle between the exit lane and the outside general-purpose lane. At this point, I activated my emergency equipment (lights and sirens) in my fully marked FHP patrol vehicle to conduct a welfare check on the driver and conducted a traffic stop.

The vehicle eventually came to a controlled stop on the right paved emergency shoulder on the southbound exit ramp to State Road 798 (Palmetto Park Road). I then exited my patrol vehicle and approached the Nissan Rogue on its driver’s side. I introduced myself and asked the driver, later identified as Jessie Cabrera by her name , if she was okay. The passenger, later identified as Gian Carlo Rubio by his Florida Driver’s License stated everything was okay, and that he was teaching Ms. Cabrera how to drive. Mr. Rubio stated that Ms. Cabrera was going to get her license next week. Mr. Rubio also stated Ms. Cabrera barely spoke any English. During the entirety of the encounter with Ms. Cabrera, Mr. Rubio translated Spanish to English for Ms. Cabrera. While speaking to Mr. Rubio and Ms. Cabrera, I observed that Ms. Cabrera had extremely bloodshot and watery eyes. I could also smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Ms. Cabrera’s breath, which intensified as she spoke.

I then asked Ms. Cabrera if she had anything to drink. Mr. Rubio responded by saying Ms. Cabrera had one glass of wine. Eventually, I advised Ms. Cabrera that I believed she was driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and requested that she exited the vehicle. While Ms. Cabrera exited the vehicle, I observed her fail to maintain her balance after exiting the vehicle. I then directed Ms. Cabrera to the front of my patrol vehicle and asked if she would be willing to perform voluntary Standardized Field Sobriety Exercises to see if she was impaired. Mr. Rubio translated for Ms. Cabrera. Ms. Cabrera stated yes. I then asked if Ms. Cabrera would like to perform the exercises at the location of the traffic stop, or if she would like to relocate to another area. Ms. Cabrera stated she was fine doing them at the location of the traffic stop. I also asked Ms. Cabrera if she had a license. Mr. Rubio stated that she did have a license out of Ecuador but could not provide proof of such.“

Cabrera allegedly had issues completing multiple field sobriety tests. As the investigation continued, a Trooper asked Mr. Rubio how many drinks they had. Mr. Rubio stated they both had 2 margaritas, but Mr. Rubio stated he had more to drink than Ms. Cabrera. Shortly thereafter, we completed the rest of the exercises.”

Ms. Cabrera, according to police, refused to provide a breath sample. She was arrested and charged with DUI. A court date is pending. It was unclear if she actually has an upcoming appointment for a drivers license test in Florida.