Uses Fifth Avenue Shops As A Shortcut, While Officer Watches…
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Highland Beach woman allegedly attempted to avoid a traffic light by cutting across several lanes of traffic, then driving through the “Fifth Avenue Shops” at NE 20th and Federal Highway to emerge on the other side of the light. Unfortunately for her, a Boca Raton Police officer allegedly watched her do it. Now, Ginger Chouinard, 55, of Ocean Boulevard is facing a DUI charge and other violations. We share key elements from the police report from the March 27th arrest:
>>Upon arrival, I met with Ofc. Reissi who had conducted a traffic stop on a white Volkswagen after it had cut across lanes of thru traffic making a right turn at a red light at NE 20th St and N Federal Hwy and used a shopping plaza to skip the red light. Ofc. Reissi made contact with the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, identified by her FL DI to be Ginger Chovinard. Ofc. Reissi advised that when he asked her for her license and vehicle registration, she initially pulled out her credit card and also handed hin her handicap placard registration. She could not provide any insurance information. He also observed she had bloodshot glossy eyes, her movements were slowed, and he could smell an odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath and person.
I then met with Ginger, who was still seated in her driver seat. I asked Ginger if she could step outside of the vehicle to speak with me, and she willingly stepped out. As she got out of her vehicle, she was unsteady on her feet and used her vehicle to balance. It should be noted that she was wearing high heels and a dress as if she had gone out for dinner/celebration. Once outside the vehicle, I asked Ginger if she knew why she was pulled over, and she advised she did. It was due to her making a right turn into a shopping plaza to avoid a red light because the light takes too long. Ofc. Reissi informed her there that by her making that right turn on red, she cut across thru lanes of travel that had a green light since it is a 5-way intersection. She advised she was coming from taking her friend out to celebrate her birthday in Ft. Lauderdale by Ocean Blvd and Oakland Park Blvd. She was heading to her residence in Highland Beach northbound on Ocean Blvd.
She stated she had some wine tonight, she has no physical injuries, no medical issues. While speaking with Ginger, I noticed she was swaying, her eyes were bloodshot, glossy, and I could smell a strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath and person. She was also chewing gum, which is typically used to mask the odor of alcoholic beverages. Based on my observations, I was concerned that Ginger had been operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or a chemically controlled substance.
I asked Ginger if she would be willing to participate in field sobriety tasks to dispel my alarm that she is under the influence. Ginger agreed to participate in the tasks. I explained and demonstrated each task. The first task was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. After explaining the instructions, I asked her if she understood. She replied yes. I then asked if she had any questions, and she replied no. I noticed equal pupil size in both eyes. I then observed lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes and distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes. Ginger would also move her head and lose focus of the tip of the pen. She was also swaying the entire time. The next task was the Walk and Turn. I afforded Ginger the opportunity to change her shoes, and she advised she had some flat sandals in her car. She then took off her high heels and put on her sandals. I then guided Ginger over to a solid white line on a flat and dry surface in a well-lit area. Ginger advised the line was straight and “white.” I then asked Ginger to stand in the starting position while I explained and demonstrated the task. Ginger did not remain in the position and attempted to start the task before I told her to. After I explained and demonstrated the task, Ginger advised she understood and did not have any questions. During the task, she did not keep her feet heel-to-toe, did not count out loud, she took more than nine steps, she stopped to steady herself, and stepped off the line. I then asked her how many steps I asked her to take, and she replied, “9.” I also asked her how I wanted her to take her steps, and she replied, “heel-to-toe.” I once again explained the instructions and showed her I wanted her feet to touch heel-to-toe. On her second attempt, she again did not step heel-to-toe, and she took more than 9 steps forward and back.<< (She allegedly had issues completing other tasks as well. The arrest report continues:)
>>Based on my observations, I developed probable cause to arrest Ginger Chouinard for DUI. I handcuffed Ginger, checked for tightness and proper fit. I conducted a search of her person and then placed her into my marked patrol vehicle. I transported her to BRPD booking. Ofc. Bagwell responded as the BAT operator. A 20-minute observation was conducted on Ginger, and then she was brought into the BRPD BAT room. I asked Ginger to provide a breath sample. Ginger advised she would not provide a breath sample. I then read her Florida Implied Consent Warnings. Ginger advised she understood and then agreed to provide a breath sample. Ginger provided two breath samples of 0.135 and 0.129. I then read her Constitutional Warnings from a pre-printed card issued by BRPD. Ginger advised she understood and declined to answer any questions. See DUI Influence report.
Ginger Chouinard is being charged with DUI pursuant to F. S. S. 316.193(1) (a) . Ginger was issued a citation by Ofc. Reissi for driving to avoid a traffic control device (#A8F1C7E) and for no insurance carried (#A8F1C8E). I issued Ginger a DUI citation (#AJVISE). Ginger was transported to Palm Beach County Jail without issue.<<
Chouinard was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond. A court date is pending.
