ANNA MARIA – At approximately 5 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 35-year-old Minnesota resident Randi Bestel was arrested after she crashed the three-wheeled ScootCoupe she was driving near the Gulf Drive/Palmetto Avenue intersection in Anna Maria.
In recent years, three-wheeled ScootCoupes have become a common sight on Anna Maria Island roadways, many of which are rented to visitors.
According to Sgt. Brett Getman, from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit, the ScootCoupe driver suffered minor injuries and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
According to the arrest report filed by Deputy Sean Weaver, Bestel was arrested on suspicion of “DUI damage to property or person.”
In his arrest report, Weaver stated, “While talking with the defendant/driver, I observed her to have glassy eyes, droopy eyelids and the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath. I then asked the defendant if she had anything to drink and she replied, ‘Yes, around noon I had a margarita.’ She explained to me that she was trying to re-park the three-wheel vehicle and she lost control of it.”
After performing field sobriety tests at the accident scene, Bestel was placed under arrest at 5:35 p.m. and transported to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where she provided a breath sample of 0.179, which was more than twice the legal limit of .08. She was then transported to the Manatee County Jail. Bestel also received a citation for careless driving.
In response to the DUI allegation, Assistant Public Defender Peyton Little, on April 15, filed with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court a plea of not guilty and a demand for a jury trial.
