Mugshot of Kalee Suzanne Woodall. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A woman who fled the scene of an auto collision has been charged with driving under the influence.
Kalee Suzanne Woodall, who says she has been living in the territory on and off for the last two and a half years, was arrested on September 20.
Officers were dispatched to Emile Francis Memorial Drive in reference to an auto collision at approximately 4:21 pm. There, they observed a collision blocking traffic which involved a black Jeep Wrangler and a white Toyota Highlander. The driver of the Jeep declined medical assistance and reported no injuries. He told police that he was coming from east to west and that the woman behind him in the white Toyota approached him fast. According to the individual, he came to a stop because the vehicles in front of him stopped and when he did so, the vehicle behind him ran into his jeep. He further stated that when he approached that driver he immediately smelled alcohol and alerted 911 that she was trying to leave the scene of the collision.
Officers later made contact with the second driver who was identified as Kalee Suzanne Woodall. According to the probable cause fact sheet, Woodall is said to have fled the scene on foot and was later picked up by a friend who said she pulled over because Woodall appeared drunk. Woodall, who was advised of her constitutional rights, claimed that the guy in the black jeep cut her off and then brake checked her, causing her to hit the back of his vehicle. The fact sheet states that Woodall also indicated that she was almost home and simply wanted to go home and relax because she was drunk. However, Woodall says her plans to unwind were thwarted because she was cut off by the driver of the jeep. She told police she left the scene because she did not want to be arrested. Woodall also reportedly stated that she moved to the island because she believed she could get away with driving while intoxicated, noting that they have open container laws and ‘don’t care about that stuff’.
She was taken into custody and transported back to the scene of the collision where she was required to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Test. Woodall had significant difficulty completing the test and was subsequently taken to the Traffic Investigation Bureau where she underwent a chemical test. That test registered a blood alcohol content of .270 — more than three times the legal limit. Despite this, Woodall maintained that the collision wasn't her fault and that while she had been drinking, she believed she was ‘good enough to drive’.
Investigations revealed that she was traveling south-westward to the rear of the other driver and that she failed to maintain a safe distance from his vehicle, thus causing the collision.
Woodall, who had already secured her release through bail appeared for a virtual hearing on Wednesday. During the proceedings, the court was informed that while she had previously been arrested on alcohol related offenses, the matters were dismissed.
After considering the facts presented before the court, Judge Henry Carr concluded that bail would be kept at $500, which Woodall had previously posted. However, Woodall is also required to surrender her passport as the Judge noted that there was insufficient evidence of her ties to the territory.
If convicted, Woodall faces a maximum imprisonment of one year, a fine of not less than $500, or both.
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