Charlotte High School assistant principal placed on administrative leave after DUI arrest

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

An assistant principal at Charlotte High School was arrested early Saturday after deputies say he was driving recklessly and crashed into a road sign in Charlotte County.

According to an arrest report from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call about a reckless driver near the intersection of Gasparilla Road and Marathon Boulevard. The caller reported that a vehicle drove onto a median, destroyed a median separation sign and then fled the scene.

Deputies later stopped the vehicle and found it missing a large portion of the front bumper. The driver identified himself as Nicholas Brown, 43, an assistant principal at Charlotte High School. Deputies said they smelled alcohol when Brown opened his car door.

Brown told deputies he also works nights as a bartender at the Gasparilla Inn. Investigators said he had trouble keeping his balance and admitted he had “more drinks than he should have.”

He failed field sobriety tests, according to the report.

A breathalyzer test later showed Brown’s blood alcohol level was between .181 and .189 — more than twice Florida’s legal limit of .08.

Brown was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash and property damage.

During a search of his vehicle, deputies said they found a THC vape cartridge. Brown told them it belonged to a friend but could not explain why it was in his car. He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Parents and former students said the arrest was disappointing.

“He should’ve known better,” said parent Debbie Schoonover.

Former student Ava Spalding called the situation “unbelievable,” saying, “It’s terrible for the kids to see that.”

In a statement, the school district said it is aware of the incident and is addressing the matter through the appropriate administrative process.

“Mr. Brown was placed on administrative leave effective Monday, Jan. 26,” the district said. “Since this is an ongoing personnel matter, the district will not comment further or release additional information at this time.”

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