Police Arrest 3 After Wrong-Way Driver Triggers Series Of Crashes

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater police officers arrested three drivers early Friday morning for driving under the influence after a series of crashes on the Courtney Campbell Causeway that began with a wrong-way driver.

Just after midnight, multiple 911 callers reported a car heading east in the westbound lanes of the causeway. After one crash, the driver and passenger in the wrong-way vehicle switched places and the car continued the correct way in the westbound lanes of the causeway.

Officers in the area conducting DUI enforcement patrols stopped the car on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Police later tested both the driver and passenger and found that both were impaired.

In the meantime, a Clearwater police officer who had responded to one of the related crashes was assisting that driver when his patrol vehicle was struck by another intoxicated driver. The officer was not injured, but his vehicle sustained serious damage.

The occupants of the wrong-way vehicle, Juan Caraballo Guerrero, 23, of Tampa and Veronica Tejada, 30, of Spring Hill were arrested. Caraballo Guerrero, the initial driver, was charged with DUI with property damage, aggravated battery, leaving the scene of a crash and possession of marijuana. Tejada was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana.

The driver who crashed into the police vehicle was Maria Perdomo, 33, of Palm Harbor. She was charged with DUI.

All three were booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

During spring break, Clearwater police officers have been conducting enhanced DUI enforcement on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Memorial Causeway and other city of Clearwater roads. That effort will continue for the next few weeks.

"In today's era of ride-shares and designated drivers and other alternatives, there is no excuse to get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking," said Police Chief Dan Slaughter.

No injuries were reported in any of the crashes.