Bradenton Mother Charged with DUI, Child Neglect After Driving Nearly Four Times Legal Limit with Young Child in Car
A Bradenton woman is facing multiple charges after Florida Highway Patrol troopers say she was driving under the influence with her 3-year-old son in the car, registering nearly four times the legal alcohol limit.
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon on Interstate 275 in Tampa, where a concerned driver reported seeing a woman vomiting near mile marker 40 around 4:30 p.m. When troopers arrived, they found 32-year-old Holly Ross in the driver’s seat with her young son in the backseat.
According to the arrest report, Ross exhibited signs of severe intoxication, including watery eyes, the odor of alcohol, and unsteadiness on her feet. Troopers noted she struggled to walk and had to be assisted to the patrol vehicle for safety reasons. Field sobriety tests were initiated but not fully completed due to Ross’s inability to stand without falling.
Tampa Fire Rescue crews at the scene discovered an alcoholic beverage concealed inside a child’s sports drink bottle in the front seat. The Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted due to the child’s presence during the incident.
Once transported to the Hillsborough County Jail, Ross reportedly exhibited erratic behavior, including mood swings, yelling, and cursing at deputies and jail personnel. After a 20-minute observation period, Ross provided breath samples registering blood alcohol levels of .303 and .301—well above Florida’s legal limit of .08.
Further investigation linked Ross to a reported hit-and-run on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Witnesses stated she repeatedly pulled over on the shoulder and struck a wall before continuing to drive.
Ross is now facing charges of driving under the influence and child neglect. Her son was unharmed and has been referred to child protective services for further evaluation.
