Pinellas Park police have arrested a woman after she crashed her vehicle while driving impaired and having an 11-month-old child in the car.
Officers responded toa crash with injuries in the 4900 block of 62nd Avenue North on Thursday at about 4 p.m.
There were two vehicles involved in the crash. A gray Ford Focus four door with heavy front end damage and spider webbing on the windshield from someone hitting it. The other vehicle was a red Ford Mustang two-door with rear end damage limited to the left side.
Based on the crash investigation officers determined that Linda Jandecka was travelling east on 62nd Ave N, slowing to stop for traffic just ahead of her. She indicated that she had not yet stopped when she was struck from behind by the Ford Focus.
There were multiple people in the Focus to include an 11-month old baby. It appears as though the driver struck the windshield following the crash. The driver of the Focus was identified as Stephanie Brethen, 26 of St. Petersburg.
Brethen was injured in the crash and transported to an area hospital for treatment. Jandecka was also transported to the hospital. Both were reported to have non-life threatening injuries. The child was not hurt and was released to family.
At the conclusion of this investigation it was determined that Brethen was impaired and under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances. She refused all testing. In addition she was found in possession of a large quantity of Xanax without a prescription. Brethen was driving on a suspended license for failure to complete substance abuse counseling and had a prior DUI conviction. Upon Brethen’s release from the hospital she was arrested and remains in jail at this time.
Brethen faces charges that include:
