A repeat DUI offender has been charged with another DUI among other charges connected to a June car accident. According to the Probable Cause Statement, officers responded to a single vehicle rollover in Jensen on June 21st. 46-year-old Maria Buckingham was found to be the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. “Investigation revealed that the defendant had veered off the north side of the road, damaged approximately 300 feet of fencing, reentered the roadway, overcorrected, and subsequently rolled the vehicle, which came to rest upright,” shares the PC Statement. The fire department was needed to help extract Buckingham. Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol and an open bottle of vodka was located on the passenger’s seat. During the extraction, Buckingham attempted to bite an officer’s hand. Officers determined that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol to a degree that rendered her incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. A blood draw was taken while at the hospital. Buckingham has two prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years and was driving without a valid license at the time of the rollover. Charges, including 3rd Degree Felony DUI, were filed against Maria Buckingham on July 17th. She is not listed as in custody.
