Seminole Woman Facing DUI Charges Following Belleair Beach Crash

BELLEAIR BEACH, FL —A 54-year-old Seminole woman is facing charges after Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies said she was involved in an accident while driving under the influence.

The crash occurred Wednesday at 11:33 p.m. in the 1800 block of Gulf Boulevard in Belleair Beach.

According to deputies, 36-year-old Megan Fowler of Indian Rocks Beach was driving her 2014 Jeep Wrangler south on Gulf Boulevard when she was struck from behind by 54-year-old Ruth Sabin of 113th Street North in Seminole, who was driving a 2006 Ford Escape.

The collision caused Fowler's Jeep to overturn onto its passenger side and crash onto a residential fence at 1720 Gulf Blvd. After colliding with the Jeep, Sabin's Ford continued south, striking two water meters, a water main and a utility pole on the west side of the road before stopping at 1540 Gulf Blvd.

Fowler was transported to Morton Plant Hospital as a precaution and Sabin was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators say excessive speed and alcohol were both factors in the crash. Criminal charges are pending against Sabin.