FL Principal Faces DUI Charge After Leading Deputies On Chase: HCSO

CARROLLWOOD, FL — An elementary school principal was charged with driving under the influence after being seen driving erratically Friday night in the Carrollwood area, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

In addition to the DUI charge, Otis Kitchen II, 45, was also charged with fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer after leading deputies on a chase.

Kitchen cut off an HCSO deputy near West Linebaugh Avenue and North Dale Mabry around 10 p.m., the sheriff’s office said. He nearly side swiped the deputy and almost entered the path of oncoming vehicles.

Shortly after this, another deputy saw him fail to stop for a red light at the intersection of Gunn Highway and West Linebaugh Avenue, which has a “no turn on red sign.”

A deputy tried to pull Kitchen over at Casey Road and Gunn Highway, but he refused to stop and drove west on Old Saybrook Avenue. Deputies followed him, keeping him in their view and saw him park his car inside his garage, the sheriff’s office said.

Kitchen, principal of Town and Country Elementary School, was taken into custody as he got out of his car without incident.

He “exhibited obvious signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, the odor of alcohol, unsteady standing and urinating on himself,” the sheriff’s office said.

Kitchen had difficulty completing sobriety tests and his breath sample registered a .142.

"Drinking and driving is not only irresponsible but also inexcusable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “It endangers the lives of everyone on the road. Our deputies acted swiftly to prevent a potentially tragic situation."