A Boca Raton woman was arrested and charged with DUI after police found her asleep at the wheel of a Tesla with a bottle of vodka in a Boynton Beach Wawa parking lot, authorities said. Elisa Casanova, 53, of Via Leonessa, was discovered by a patrolling officer in the early hours of the morning slumped over the driver's seat of her black 2023 Tesla Model 3, according to the police report obtained by BocaNewsNow.com.
Officer's body-cam footage noted Casanova's "glossy eyes and slurred speech," as she informed the officer that she was simply tired and had consumed alcohol earlier that day; the officer spotted an open container of Absolut Vodka (50ml) inside the vehicle, the report from the Boynton Beach Police Department detailed. The officer, whose routine check escalated to a DUI investigation, noted the suspect was easily distracted and allegedly unable to provide her driver's license claiming it was in the trunk while Casanova exited her car she exhibited imbalance and clung to the vehicle for support, according to a report by Infoceres.biz.id.
After agreeing to undergo standardized field sobriety tasks, Casanova allegedly had difficulties completing them and opted to provide a urine sample instead of a breath alcohol test. Although her blood alcohol content has not been disclosed, her actions led to her being charged with driving under the influence and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail. Her bail was set at $1,000, and she has since been released, with a court date still pending, said police.
The incident has sparked conversation about the challenges law enforcement face with the rise of semi-autonomous vehicles and the potential for impaired individuals to use them irresponsibly—this occurrence showcases the ongoing struggle despite Casanova's Tesla being stationary while she was in the state of impairment, the fact that vehicles of its kind are capable of operation by those under the influence poses questions about vehicular innovation and public safety. Even if the questions linger, for now, Casanova awaits her day in court to answer for the charges levied against her.
