Mugshot of Janet Velasquez. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A 43-year-old woman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol following a single-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, May 19 on Queen Mary Highway, just north of Questa Verde.
According to police, officers from the Patrol Bureau were dispatched to the scene at approximately 1:58 a.m. after a report was received through the 911 Emergency Call Center. Upon arrival, officers found a damaged vehicle off the roadway in nearby bushes. The driver, identified as Janet Velasquez, was standing on the shoulder of the road when officers arrived.
Velasquez reportedly told officers that an unknown vehicle had run her off the road. However, officers noted several signs of intoxication during their interaction with her, including slightly slurred speech, red and watery eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol coming from her breath and person.
Velasquez was transported to the Ancilmo Marshall Command Police Station, where she was administered the three standardized field sobriety tests—the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, walk and turn, and one leg stand. Authorities say she failed all three tests.
She was then asked to take a breathalyzer test to determine her blood alcohol content, but was reportedly unable to complete the test due to difficulty blowing into the machine.
As a result, Janet Velasquez was placed under arrest for driving while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor. She was later transported to the VIPD's Police Operations Administrative Building, where she was booked and processed. Velasquez posted bail in the amount of $1,005 and was subsequently released pending further court proceedings.
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