Alleged drunk driver hits six cars in Navarre
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

An allegedly drunk driver is suspected of damaging six vehicles before leaving the beach during Mardi Gras weekend. Ruth Champion, 55, was arrested for drunk driving Feb. 17 after colliding with at least three parked vehicles in the Navarre Beach parking lot. According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) accident report, the Navarre resident backed her 1999 Chrysler into an occupied 2003 minivan causing minor injuries to two passengers. The van then continued to roll backwards and struck an unoccupied 2007 4-door sedan. The collision caused the sedan to rotate counter clockwise, and inflict approximately $5,000 on an unoccupied 2006 Chevrolet. At that point, Champion's vehicle continued to roll backwards and sideswiped an unoccupied 1995 Jeep. Champion, along with her passenger, then attempted to leave the parking lot with her damaged vehicle and struck a parked 1981 Volvo, causing approximately $7,000 in damage to the unoccupied car. Champion was promptly arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), leaving the scene of an accident, careless driving and not having of proof of insurance. Neither Champion nor the passenger in her car were injured in the incident.

Lt. Kenneth Ellis with FHP said Champion had no prior DUI arrests but was also charged with driving on a suspended license due to excessive points.

"It's not overly common that somebody runs into several parked cars," he said. "But when you you're drunk it's a whole different thing."

Ellis said troopers typically attempt to make contact with car owners in similar situations, but if there is no response and the car is not severely damaged, the officer on the scene will attach an accident report to the vehicle.