Elementary Principal in Tampa Faces DUI Charges Following High-Speed Chase: Deputies

Tampa, FL- According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a local elementary school principal was arrested on Friday night.

The principal has been charged with driving under the influence and fleeing from law enforcement.

The principal of Town and Country Elementary School, Otis Kitchen II, was involved in a near collision with a deputy on Friday night. The incident occurred near West Linebaugh Avenue and North Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Kitchen, 45, was reported to have driven in a manner that was described as erratic, crossing lanes of traffic and coming dangerously close to oncoming vehicles. According to the release, he neglected to stop at a red light.

Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle just a short distance away, near Casey Road and Gunn Highway. The release states that Kitchen drove westbound and parked his sedan inside his garage, traveling an additional mile.

The sheriff’s office reported that Kitchen was apprehended without any issues as he left his vehicle. According to the release, the principal displayed signs of impairment such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol.

According to deputies, he struggled to complete sobriety exercises.

The individual in question has served as the principal of a school located on the outskirts of Tampa for four years as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Read Also: Suspect in Lesly Palacio’s Murder Arrested in Mexico After Four Years