Periscope App Led Cops to Accused Drunk Driver

Driving under the influence is a bad idea. Live streaming the alleged action as it unfolds is even less wise.

A 23-year-old woman found that out firsthand Saturday when she allegedly got behind the wheel of her Toyota Corolla impaired and decided to live stream the trip via Periscope, a video-based social media platform.

It didn’t take users of the Periscope app long to raise alarm bells with the Lakeland Police Department. Calls started pouring into the agency’s 911 system, police reported in a media release.

“As a result of the video being streamed worldwide, numerous text messages were sent to the driver asking her to stop driving before she killed someone or herself,” the release said. “One 911 caller stated the female was driving in the north Lakeland area but he could not provide specific location as he was watching the streaming video live.”

As the video continued to roll, the driver behind the wheel stated several times she was “drunk,” police noted. She also mentioned not being too sure where she was and that she was driving on a flat tire.

While Lakeland Police officers do not have Periscope access on department-issued equipment, “one officer took the initiative to utilize their personal account in an effort to locate the driver,” the department said.

By watching landmarks that appeared in the streaming video, officers were able to narrow down the woman’s location. It appeared as if she was heading eastbound on Carpenters Way.

Low and behold, officers caught up with the car, described as a 2015 Toyota Corolla. The four-door vehicle did indeed have a flat left front tire, police noted.

As officers approached, the woman’s vehicle hit a curb and a traffic stop was initiated.

“Officers advised that the driver did not even brake after striking the curb,” police said.

The woman was finally pulled over in the 1000 block of Carpenters Way.

Whitney Marie Beall was ultimately charged with DUI and transported to the Polk County Jail.

The video, police say, serves as a reminder of “the dangers of driving while intoxicated through the eyes of a drunk and irresponsible young adult. The Lakeland Police Department is extremely thankful that this did not result in an accident and no one was injured as a result of her poor decision.”

Booking photo courtesy of the Lakeland Police Department