Fort Myers DUI arrest; 18-year-old with 7 teens in car sparks concern

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — An 18-year-old is facing DUI and other charges after troopers say a wild turn at an intersection led to a shocking discovery inside the car.

Florida Highway Patrol said this all started with a dangerous turn at Colonial and State Road 82. Troopers said the driver blew through the light, took the turn too fast, cut across all eastbound lanes, went into the shoulder and then took off at 76 miles per hour.

But what troopers found after that stop has many parents shaking their heads.

"It's like a proud mom moment, I guess, because they're now legal and they're kind of free to have a little bit of independence," said Kandy Wordessa.

Wordessa remembers when her kids finally got behind the wheel. "Most of them waited till they were 18 to get their license," Wordessa said. "I feel like they're more responsible because they waited a little while."

But like a lot of parents, she still worries.

"You hope that they don't get behind the wheel and drive drunk or drive intoxicated," Wordessa said.

Driving drunk and intoxicated like 18-year-old Katherine Marie Gonzalez. Troopers say she wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was showing signs of being impaired.

"It's really scary that these kids are even getting behind the wheel like that and not to mention loading up the car like they did," Wordessa said.

FHP says Gonzalez was loaded up with seven teens, and only one was wearing a seatbelt. The youngest passenger was 13 years old.

"Oh my gosh," Wordessa said.

And two passengers were lying in the trunk.

"That is insane, dangerous," Wordessa said.

FHP says Gonzalez failed field sobriety tests and later blew a .18 and .19. Wordessa says moments like this are why parents have to have those hard conversations early.

"You have to teach them like right from wrong, and they should know if it gets to a point that you're intoxicated, call home," Wordessa said. "You should have somebody saved to be able to call."

With no one hurt, she says this should be a wake-up call.

"Could have been somebody coming and she hit home, or could have been really bad," Wordessa said. "I'm just glad the police are out watching as well and keeping it safe for the kids."

FHP says Gonzalez first denied drinking, then admitted to having several drinks over the last few hours. She is now facing DUI, reckless driving and culpable negligence charges.