By Matt Wiley
Unfortunately, driving the wrong way on the interstates in our area has been making headlines seemingly every other week, and this one is no exception, as a juvenile has been arrested for an early morning drunken joyride in the wrong direction on I-275 near Wesley Chapel.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a Dade City juvenile was arrested on I-75, north of Fletcher Ave., on April 12 around 4 a.m. The 17-year-old, whose identity has been withheld, was driving a 2005 Mazda RX-8 and first was reported by other drivers to FHP around mile marker 279 in Wesley Chapel. He reportedly was driving the wrong way on the 70-mph interstate highway at speeds that varied from 55-75 mph.
FHP responded and was able to stop the driver just north of Fletcher Ave., but he refused to exit the vehicle. The suspect had to be forcibly removed and was taken into custody. A search of his vehicle later turned up an undisclosed amount of marijuana.
The juvenile also was found to have a blood-alcohol content of 0.14 percent at the time of the incident, 0.06 above the legal limit. He was charged with driving under the influence, resisting arrest without violence and possession of marijuana.
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