In Gainesville, Florida, a significant development emerged on Wednesday with the arrest of 35-year-old Tabitha Page Ashby. She faces charges of driving under the influence (DUI) with serious bodily injury following a series of vehicular accidents that occurred earlier this year on January 7.

The incident unfolded around 7 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Gainesville Police Department (GPD). Officers were dispatched to the scene of a severe head-on collision located on the 400 block of NW 53rd Avenue. The crash inflicted substantial damage to both vehicles involved, necessitating the extrication of both Ashby and the driver of the other automobile.

The other driver sustained serious injuries, notably to his legs and hip, and was transported to the hospital under a trauma alert. Emergency medical services at the scene conveyed to officers that the injuries were so severe that a leg amputation might be required.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that Ashby’s vehicle emitted a strong odor reminiscent of alcoholic beverages. Inside her car, a wine bottle and a beer can were reportedly found, further suggesting alcohol consumption.

Upon reaching the hospital, officers encountered Ashby, who was reportedly insisting to medical staff that she was “fine” and expressed a desire to leave. However, officers noted her slurred speech, and a subsequent blood test revealed an ethyl alcohol level of 351.0, a figure indicative of significant intoxication.

An officer spoke to Ashby in the ICU, and she said all she remembered was being at an intersection and then being hit. Post Miranda, she reportedly said she had not drunk any alcohol; she said she had just left a home in Lacrosse and was driving on CR 236 toward High Springs at the time of the crash. However, the crash happened on NW 53rd Avenue, just east of NW 13th Street.

An officer reported that Ashby appeared to be impaired, based on observations of her behavior.

GPD’s investigation found that Ashby had visited the Sunoco at 4207 NW 13th Street before the crash, and she was reportedly unsteady on her feet and knocking items off shelves as she tried to purchase more alcohol; she tried three payment methods but was reportedly unsuccessful, and she left the store, driving eastbound in a white Kia Soul on NW 42nd Avenue at about 5:44 p.m.

At about 6:30 p.m., a crash was reported at NW 13th Street and NW 16th Avenue, with a white Kia Soul rear-ending a pickup truck. The Soul backed up, and the hood released in the raised position before the Soul left the scene, driving northbound on NW 13th Street without checking whether the other driver needed assistance or leaving any information.

At about that time, multiple 911 calls were received about a white vehicle driving recklessly northbound on NW 13th Street with the hood up. A witness reported that the car turned eastbound on NW 53rd Avenue and almost hit three other vehicles before driving into oncoming traffic, yanking the steering wheel several times, and hitting the victim’s vehicle almost head-on.

The victim in the second crash reportedly suffered a broken leg, broken pelvis, and damage to internal organs that required multiple surgeries.

Ashby, whose address is listed in Alachua but reportedly told Court Services that she has only been in Alachua County for eight days, has been charged with driving under the influence with serious bodily injury. She has five misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $80,000 and ordered Court Services to fit her with a transdermal alcohol monitor before she is released from jail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.