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A Florida woman is facing allegations of claiming blindness in both eyes following a hit-and-run incident that left at least two individuals injured.
Karen Barrios is charged with several offenses, including one count of driving under the influence (DUI), three counts of DUI causing damage to property or person, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in non-serious injuries, according to a complaint affidavit.
It remains uncertain if Barrios has entered a plea in response to these charges.
The incident occurred on April 11 when police arrived at the site of a crash in Fort Lauderdale, involving Barrios’ vehicle and another car that reportedly flipped multiple times. As an officer attended to the three individuals involved, Barrios allegedly left the scene without providing her driver’s license, insurance information, or offering assistance, as stated in the affidavit.
Upon being located, Barrios reportedly claimed she was uninjured and declined to undergo a breathalyzer test, according to the report.
However, deputies observed her “glassy eyes, slurred speech and unsteadiness on her feet,” according to the affidavit, and noticed a “strong odor” of alcohol.
When police asked if Barrios had issues with her sight, she allegedly claimed she was “blind in both eyes,” per the affidavit, then clarified that she has blindness in her retina and in her left eye, but that she can see. Barrios then allegedly said she was colorblind.
During the field sobriety test, Barrios had “extreme difficulty” following instructions, per the affidavit, needed reminders to stay focused and stepped off-line and lost her balance.
She was arrested and booked into the Broward County Jail where, according to court records, she posted bond and was released. The victims in the crash said they plan to press charges.
An attorney for Barrios could not be located by Oxygen.