Woman with children in car accused of DUI, kicking boyfriend out door along I-75 in North Fort Myers

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A woman is accused of DUI after kicking her boyfriend and his son out of the car on Interstate 75 in North Fort Myers and continuing to drive with two 4-year-olds in the backseat.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a call for service regarding a man and a young boy standing on the right grass shoulder of I-75 near mile marker 148.

The man told the trooper that he had been arguing with his girlfriend, who pulled over during the argument and told him and his son to get out of the car onto the interstate. The man said his girlfriend then drove off, FHP said.

While speaking with the man, a white Lexus pulled up behind the trooper's car. The Lexus was being driven by the man's girlfriend, Sandy Marcela Laverde, 39, FHP said.

Troopers began speaking with Laverde when they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the interior of the car and also saw two 4-year-old twins in the rear seat of the car, FHP said.

Troopers also found open containers and a small amount of marijuana in the car, according to FHP.

Laverde told the troopers she had her boyfriend and his son exit the car because she was arguing with him. She said her plan was to drop them off temporarily, loop around the interstate, and return to pick them up, FHP said.

Troopers had Laverde conduct field sobriety exercises and then placed her under arrest for DUI. Laverde refused a breathalyzer test and was booked into Lee County Jail for DUI and child neglect.

According to FHP, in a spontaneous post-arrest statement, Laverde said, "Give me life in prison because I was drinking and had a little cocaine... This is a [expletive] circus."

A routine license check revealed that Laverde had four driver's license suspensions dated in 2025 and 2026, FHP said.

The Department of Children and Families and the twins' biological father were contacted.

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