A Guatemalan woman was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, after her car reversed into a Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle during an early-morning traffic stop, authorities said.
The incident happened at about 3.15am on Wednesday, September 2, at the junction of Wabash Avenue and Dille Street.
According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy was approaching the driver’s window of a 2003 Honda when the vehicle began moving backwards and struck the patrol car. The collision caused only minor damage.
Lakeland traffic stop leads to arrest
The driver was identified as 46-year-old Catarina Andres. She told the deputy she had accidentally left the car in neutral instead of putting it into park, causing it to roll backwards.
During the stop, the deputy discovered that Andres did not have a valid driving licence. Authorities also said she was living in the United States without legal immigration status.
Andres was arrested and faces a misdemeanour charge for driving without a valid licence.
ICE detainer requested
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said US Immigration and Customs Enforcement requested that a detainer be placed on Andres following her arrest.
Officials have not said how long she had lived in the Lakeland area. They also did not provide details of any possible immigration court proceedings.
