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Deaf woman arrested on DUI charges after allegedly hitting pole, mailbox, with child in car

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Jeri Gunderson, 37, of Palm Coast, is facing charges after St. Johns County deputies said she swerved off the road and struck a mailbox used by multiple residents, before striking a Florida Power and Light pole.

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Deputies say the incident happened after 4 p.m. Sunday at 812 W 12th Street in St. Augustine.

After destroying the mailbox and hitting the pole, she allegedly stopped her car, looked at a witness who saw it happen and drove off.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said a deputy stopped the woman driving in the area of Puryear Street and S. Holmes Boulevard.

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The entire front end of the car was missing and had severe cosmetic damage, but was still functional.

Inside the car was a child sitting in a car seat, according to the Sheriff's Office report.

Deputies say Gunderson could not stand without swaying and appeared to be talking to herself.

They also stated she was hostile, kept flipping everyone off and "acting strange," according to the report.

Deputies said they were not able to speak with her because she is deaf.

After speaking with an ASL interpreter, Gunderson admitted to hitting something with the car but thought it was "no big deal" and drove off.

Gunderson also admitted to being on Suboxone.

She was arrested and faces the following charges:

  • Leaving the scene of a crash
  • DUI alcohol or drugs
  • DUI damage property
  • Neglect child without bodily harm
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