Woman Charged with DUI, Abuse After Crashing Car with Baby Inside

A 26-year-old St. Petersburg woman faces a host of charges following a Thursday afternoon crash in Pinellas Park.

The accident happened around 4 p.m. in the 4900 block of 62nd Avenue North, Pinellas Park Police say. Linda Jandecka was heading east on 62nd Avenue North in a Ford Mustang when she slowed down to stop for traffic ahead of her. As she did, a Ford Focus driven by Stephanie Brethen struck her car in the rear.

There were several people inside the Focus, including an 11-month-old child. Both drivers were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The baby and other passengers were uninjured, police said.

Police say Brethen was impaired at the time of the crash. Although she did not submit to testing, police found a large amount of Xanax in her possession without a prescription. She was also driving on a suspended license and has a prior DUI conviction.

When Brethen was released from the hospital, she was arrested. She now faces child abuse, DUI crash with property damage and personal injury, possession and driving on a suspended license charges. She remained in the Pinellas County Jail Friday on $7,650 bond.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Brethen/Pinellas County Jail