Dashcam shows trooper stop wrong-way driver on I-275 in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida Highway Patrol trooper made a heroic stop overnight, after intercepting a wrong-way driver on I-275 in Tampa.

At 3:50 a.m. on Sunday, the trooper was traveling in the southbound lanes of I-275 when he saw the headlights of a Kia Sportage coming toward him.

That’s when the trooper hit the Kia, traveling northbound, at an angle on the rear driver’s side, according to an affidavit. However, the driver continued to travel north in the southbound lanes, despite the trooper’s activated lights and sirens, and attempt at a PIT maneuver.

The trooper’s vehicle was rear-ended by another car that was unable to stop in time.

Eventually, the wrong-way driver crashed into the concrete barrier wall, following a successful PIT maneuver, but attempted to reverse to continue driving. However, the trooper stopped her from once again leaving.

The trooper approached the Kia and identified the driver as Margot McDaniels, who said she was a bartender and had just gotten a DUI two weeks prior.

McDaniels appeared to have slow, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, according to the officer. She was found in possession of one pill of oxycodone and refused a breath sample several times, the affidavit said.

The woman was arrested and is facing charges of DUI with property damage, fleeing to elude, possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, and driving with a suspended license, according to the affidavit.

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