A Hallandale Beach woman is facing DUI and hit‑and‑run charges after deputies say she slammed into a Jeep on Marina Mile Boulevard near the southbound I‑95 exit ramp last Saturday evening, sending the SUV flipping multiple times and injuring three people. Instead of staying at the scene, investigators say the driver took off and was found minutes later in a Dania Beach parking lot. She reportedly told deputies she was "blind in both eyes," a claim that made it into the arrest report alongside what deputies described as clear signs of impairment.
Authorities identified the suspect as 33‑year‑old Karen Barrios and said the crash happened just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday. A Broward Sheriff’s Office sergeant who witnessed the wreck described a white Buick with front‑end damage and a gray Jeep with heavy rear‑passenger damage that ended up against a wall. At least two people in the Jeep suffered multiple cuts, and all three occupants told deputies they wanted to press charges. Jail records show Barrios faces DUI and hit‑and‑run counts, according to WPLG Local 10.
Deputies say she showed signs of impairment
According to the arrest report, cited by WPLG Local 10, deputies said Barrios had "glassy eyes, slurred speech, and unsteadiness on her feet" and initially refused medical treatment. She later agreed to perform field sobriety exercises. Investigators wrote that she missed heel‑to‑toe steps, lost her balance and made an improper turn before she was taken to BSO’s breath alcohol testing center. The report does not list a blood‑alcohol result.
Charges, penalties and a wider pattern
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious bodily injury is a felony that can bring prison time and mandatory license revocation. The statute requires drivers to stop, provide information and offer reasonable help to anyone who is hurt, according to Florida Statutes §316.027. Driving under the influence that causes serious bodily injury is also a felony under §316.193, and in cases where a driver’s actions lead to more damage or danger, prosecutors can look at additional counts such as aggravated fleeing or eluding.
The arrest lands against a backdrop of rising concern over hit‑and‑run crashes in South Florida, a problem local investigators and residents have been sounding the alarm about in recent years. Regional reporting, including coverage by NBC6, has highlighted spikes in serious and fatal cases on area roads.
What’s next
Investigators say the case remains active as they process evidence and wait for prosecutors to review the file. Any formal charges beyond the initial booking counts will depend on test results and the State Attorney’s Office charging decisions. Detectives are asking anyone who has additional information about the crash to contact the Broward Sheriff’s Office to help complete the investigation.
