TAMPA, Fla. — A woman who fled from troopers at up to speeds of 130 mph before crashing early Sunday morning was arrested for drunk driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
Sahal Mata Flatts, 25, of Bradenton, was also charged with fleeing to elude at high speed and driving with a suspended/revoked license.
At about 1:03 a.m., Mata Flatts was seen traveling in a blue Mercedes Benz on Interstate 275 in Tampa without her lights on.
A trooper followed her onto State Road 589, where the law enforcement officer attempted to pull her over. However, she accelerated, reaching speeds of up to 130 mph in an attempt to flee, an FHP report stated.
Mata Flatts got off at exit 7 (Linebaugh Avenue), but due to the high speeds, she lost control of the car and crashed into a tree.
When troopers reached her, she had red, glassy eyes, smelled of alcohol, and had a slurred speech, a trooper stated in the report. She was taken to a hospital and later arrested.
Her license was suspended from a prior DUI arrest, the report stated.
She was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.