A woman from Florida has made headlines after being stopped for driving the wrong way while under the influence. Instead of presenting her driver’s license, she handed the officer a Barnes & Noble gift card, according to police reports.
Kami Ellis, 52, was pulled over in Tampa around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday when deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office noticed her vehicle moving contrary to traffic and even jumping a curb, as body camera footage reveals.
The officer asked, “Are you feeling okay?” after stopping her. Ellis responded, “Yes, I’m fine.”
When the deputy questioned her ability to stop the car, she struggled to turn off the engine and was asked whether the vehicle belonged to her, to which she confirmed it did.
After finally getting the engine to shut off, the officer explained the reason for the stop—her erratic driving—and requested her driver’s license. Instead of that, she attempted to hand over her credit card.
“That’s your credit card,” the officer clarified, prompting her to realize her blunder. She then tried once more, but this time she presented a Barnes & Noble gift card.
“It’s a Barnes & Noble gift card,” the officer reiterated. As the video continues, Ellis appeared visibly unsteady, and the officer instructed her to step forward, although she hesitated. Eventually, he directed her to put her glasses back on before telling her to place her hands behind her back and subsequently handcuffed her.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Ellis was charged with driving under the influence.
An arrest report indicated that her blood alcohol content registered at 0.204 and 0.209, which is over twice the legal limit. She was later released after posting a $1,000 bail.
