Francine Brown Charged in DUI Investigation
At 8:23 PM on February 20, 2024, Anchorage Police Dispatch received a call from a citizen stating a female driver in a silver Honda Accord was swerving in traffic, almost struck other vehicles, and looked like she was nodding off behind the wheel. The caller provided the license plate of the target vehicle, a description of the suspect driver, and location updates.
Officers assigned to the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit (IDEU) found the car at W 6th Avenue and K Street. While following the Honda, the first officer saw the vehicle drift over the lane lines several times. The officer initiated a traffic stop at W 6th and D Street by activating his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights; the suspect driver pulled over.
The officer approached the Honda on foot. While conversing with the driver, who was still seated in the driver’s seat, the officer saw drug paraphernalia lying inside the car in plain view. Officers noticed the driver exhibiting signs of impairment. The officer asked 37-year-old Francine M. B. Brown to step out of the Honda and participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). At the conclusion of the tests, the decision was made to charge Brown with Driving under the Influence.
Brown was transported to the Anchorage Correctional Complex for further processing. While there, Brown provided a breath sample that showed her breath alcohol content was zero. Her blood was drawn subsequent to a search warrant being obtained. At one point in the process, the officers could tell that Brown had something in her mouth that she was trying to conceal. It was determined to be a dime bag containing drugs. Initially Brown refused to spit the bag out, but eventually complied when the potentially fatal health risks that could occur should she consume the drugs were explained to her. The drugs in the bag were fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Francine Brown was remanded at Hiland Correctional Center on the charges of Tampering with Physical Evidence, DUI, Promote Contraband I, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance V. She was cited for Driving While License Suspended and Driving Without Proof of Insurance.
REDDI – Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately by calling 9-1-1. APD is grateful to the citizen who took the time to notify authorities of Brown’s driving behavior. The vehicle and driver descriptions the caller provided to police proved to be very helpful in the investigation.
APD Case 24-5823
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