New Port Richey Police Officer Arrested for DUI in Florida

Christopher Sutherlin, a New Port Richey Police Officer was involved in late night crash in Florida.

A New Port Richey police officer is facing charges of Driving Under the Influence in Pasco County, Florida following a hit and run accident. Christopher Sutherlin, who was off duty at the time, reportedly slammed into the back end of a 2005 Ford pick-up truck with his 2006 Nissan pick-up around 3:00 am and then tried to flee the scene. He did not get very far though because of heavy damage to his vehicle. Sutherlin, a passenger in Sutherlin’s vehicle and the driver of the Ford truck were all slightly injured.

Florida Highway Patrol officers responding to the accident knew Sutherlin, so they called for a Hernando County trooper. According to the arrest report, Sutherlin refused to perform field sobriety tests because of a back injury. His blood alcohol content registered .148 and .151 in two breath tests. The legal limit for intoxication in Florida is a .08 BAC.

Sutherlin, 30, had worked a political rally and then went off duty about 9:00 pm. He was charged with a DUI in Florida, two counts of DUI with personal injury, DUI with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries. Sutherlin has been with the New Port Richey police department for ten months. He has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Arrested for DUI in Pasco County? You will need to hire a Florida DUI Lawyer for representation on your DUI case and DMV hearing.