Woman charged with DUI after smashing into deputy’s cruiser
VALRICO — Normally, Hillsborough Sheriff’s deputy Julie Seale spends her shift patrolling the area’s roadways for impaired drivers. She goes to them.
But early this morning, authorities said a drunk driver came to her. In fact, 25-year-old Maria Chamorrovega couldn’t have gotten closer. Deputies say she smashed into Seale’s marked Crown Victoria sheriff’s cruiser.
A sheriff’s office news release explains it like this:
Chamorrovega, a Valrico resident, was driving a 1998 Mazda in the left lane, headed west on Highway 60 just after 2 a.m. Next to her in the center lane was sheriff’s deputy Julie Seale.
Chamorrovega started to turn left onto Mt. Carmel Avenue, but reconsidered, made a right and smashed into the front driver’s side corner of Seale’s cruiser, causing about $1,500 in damage to the car and sending the 2-year department veteran to Brandon Regional Hospital for medical evaluation.
Deputies said Vega was charged with DUI and booked into the Orient Road Jail.
– Casey Cora, Times staff writer
This story contains corrected information. Deputies originally reported Chamorrovega’s last name as Vega. Booking photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.