Pinellas jail nurse arrested on DUI charge after accident

CLEARWATER — A nurse at the Pinellas County Jail was arrested late Saturday after an accident and charged with driving under the influence, authorities said.

Susan G. Doherty, a licensed practical nurse, was also charged with resisting arrest after, police say, she punched an officer and refused to get out of her vehicle.

According to arrest reports, Doherty was driving a 2007 Chrysler when she got into a minor accident with another vehicle around 10:30 p.m. at Countryside Boulevard and Enterprise Road.

When Clearwater police arrived, Doherty "reeked of liquor and could barely stand up," an arrest report shows.

Doherty got back into the Chrysler, the report says, then refused to get out or hand over her car keys.

When the officer tried to take the keys from the ignition, Doherty "punched and pushed" him in the arms and upper body, then threw the keys at him, according to the report.

The driver of the other vehicle, who was not identified, suffered "possible minor injuries," reports show.

Doherty, 48, of Clearwater, refused to do field sobriety tests or take a Breathalyzer, Clearwater police said.

She has worked for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office since June 2001.

As is standard policy, investigators from the agency's administrative investigations division were notified of the arrest.

Doherty was released from the jail after posting bail Sunday morning.