Two Florida school principals were arrested on DUI charges on the night of July 5, 2026, in Lake County, Florida after two separate traffic stops involving the same white Jeep Cherokee.
Last update: July 17, 2026. The arrests matter because they involve two campus leaders from the same charter operator and raised questions among parents and staff about leadership, safety and administrative oversight at the affected schools.
Initial traffic stop and arrest of Jennifer Jimenez
Around 2 a.m., officers observed a white Jeep SUV driven by Jennifer Jimenez 41, exhibiting erratic driving that included drifting between lanes and driving over a curb, prompting a traffic stop. During questioning, Jimenez admitted to having consumed alcohol earlier in the day, displayed signs of impairment such as slow reactions and the odor of alcohol, and was described by officers as having an unsteady gait and slurred speech. Body-worn camera footage captured an officer noting her delayed reactions and slow blinking before she was arrested on charges of DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing. Jimenez was booked and later released on a $2,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty.
Second stop and arrest of Christina Alcalde
At the time of the first stop, Christina Alcalde 45, the owner of the Jeep, was a passenger and was transported home in a rideshare. Officers moved the vehicle to a nearby parking lot. Around 5 a.m., deputies received a report that the same vehicle was back on the road. Officers observed the Jeep again drifting in its lane and braking repeatedly before an intersection. When questioned, Alcalde told the deputy she was “way better” and said she was attempting to post bail for Jimenez. Despite her remarks, deputies observed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and emotional distress. Alcalde agreed to perform field sobriety exercises but was arrested on DUI-related charges and refusal to submit to testing. She also was booked, released on a $2,000 bond and pleaded not guilty.
School response and legal aftermath
Both principals serve under the same charter operator: Alcalde as principal of Pinecrest Lakes Academy and Jimenez as principal of Pinecrest Academy Tavares. The charter organization’s Governing Board acknowledged the incidents and stated it was addressing the matter, emphasizing the safety and support of students and the continuity of school operations. The arrests prompted concern among parents and staff about leadership judgment and accountability at the schools.
Legally, both individuals face identical counts for DUI and refusal to submit to testing; each posted a $2,000 bond after booking and entered not guilty pleas. Court proceedings and administrative actions by the charter operator are ongoing. The unusual circumstance of two principals being arrested hours apart while involving the same vehicle has drawn attention from the community and will be followed in pending legal and board processes.
