Alachua County, FL – A 23-year-old woman was arrested Monday after deputies say she repeatedly fled traffic stops, drove recklessly on Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 441, and attempted to escape even after her vehicle was surrounded by law enforcement.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began during the afternoon of Monday, July 20, when a motorist flagged down Deputy Sheriff M. Davis, who was patrolling Southwest Archer Road as part of the Domestic Highway Enforcement Task Force. The motorist reported an erratic driver operating a gray Nissan SUV on U.S. Highway 441 and Interstate 75.
Deputies identified the driver as Jennifer Dotzler, 23. Investigators said Deputy Davis located the SUV entering northbound I-75 from Archer Road and observed multiple traffic violations that affected other motorists, including a semi-truck.
According to the sheriff’s office, Dotzler allegedly refused to stop during an attempted traffic stop near mile marker 385 and continued driving recklessly. Deputies briefly terminated the pursuit near mile marker 390 because it no longer met agency pursuit policy.
Authorities said Dotzler was later spotted again and allegedly fled a second time, weaving through multiple lanes of traffic and driving through an active construction zone, forcing other vehicles to take evasive action.
Law enforcement officers eventually used vehicle containment tactics to immobilize the SUV. According to deputies, Dotzler then allegedly refused commands to exit the vehicle and attempted to accelerate into surrounding patrol vehicles. Deputies deployed oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray into the vehicle before taking her into custody.
Investigators later determined Dotzler had allegedly been under the influence of narcotics for multiple days.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Dotzler was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with lights and sirens activated, fleeing or attempting to elude with disregard for public safety, and resisting an officer without violence.
The allegations against Dotzler have been made by law enforcement, and the charges have not been proven in court.
