Archer Woman Arrested for DUI After Rollover Crash on I-75

GAINESVILLE – A 41-year-old woman from Archer was arrested early Tuesday morning, Nov. 19, 2024, after a rollover crash on Interstate 75 near the Newberry Road exit. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers determined she was impaired, with breath tests later revealing her blood alcohol concentration was over 2.5 times the legal limit.

FHP responded to the crash at approximately 12:19 a.m. and found a Hyundai Elantra overturned in the grass median between the northbound lanes and the exit ramp. About 100 feet of guardrail was damaged in the incident.

The driver, Ariel Samone Love Lassiter, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Witnesses reportedly helped her out of the car before law enforcement arrived. Lassiter, standing outside the vehicle when FHP troopers arrived, declined medical transport despite being visibly shaken. She reportedly told authorities she had been northbound on I-75 and missed the exit, attempting to cut over before crashing.

Witnesses told investigators they detected a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana emanating from the vehicle. One witness noted that Lassiter's speech was slurred. Troopers reported finding a half-full bottle of green alcoholic beverage in the car. They also observed that Lassiter’s eyes were red, watery, and glassy, and she struggled with balance.

Post-Miranda, Lassiter admitted to having consumed two or three beers earlier in the night and a possible mixed drink. She also stated she had smoked marijuana a few hours before the crash. However, she blamed her swaying and balance issues on knee problems.

A Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test conducted by the trooper indicated impairment. Lassiter was advised she was too impaired to drive and was subsequently arrested.

fter being medically cleared at an emergency room, Lassiter was transported to the jail. Breathalyzer tests revealed blood alcohol levels of .224 g/210L and .218 g/210L, both significantly above the legal limit of .08. She was charged with DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher and DUI with property damage.

Lassiter has a history of legal issues, including a 2018 conviction for driving with a blood alcohol concentration over .15 and possession of drug paraphernalia. She also has three other misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent.

Judge Kristine Van Vorst set Lassiter’s bail at $5,000 with several conditions, including the use of a transdermal alcohol detection device and a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., except for work-related activities.

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