ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando high school principal was arrested on charges of driving under the influence.
Michele Erickson, 52, the principal of Edgewater High School, was arrested early Saturday in Orange County.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Erickson was driving her Chevrolet Suburban erratically and crossed multiple lanes of traffic when a deputy spotted her and made a traffic stop. Deputies also said Erickson nearly hit a car.
Erickson told deputies she returning from a Rod Stewart concert, where she had two glasses of wine, according to a sheriff's report. She later said she had consumed three glasses, deputies said.
According to the sheriff's report, Erickson had slurred speech, couldn't keep her balance and a strong odor of alcohol could be smelled on her breath.
Erickson's blood alcohol level was .143 and .147, deputies said. The legal driving limit in Florida is 0.08.
There was a passenger in the car, deputies said.
Erickson was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail.
Orange County Schools spokeswoman Kathy Marsh said Erickson has 90 days to resolve her misdemeanor charge before OCPS will issue a decision or judgement. The district said Erickson took Monday off from work.
Marsh said OCPS will not comment further but added that Erickson does not regularly drive or transport children in her role as principal.
Orange County parents ay the principal should be punished and seek help after her arrest.
"Being a principal of a high school, it's not acceptable," said parent Alexia Prince.
Students tell Local 6 Erickson is well-liked and well-respected.
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