WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Suzanne Berry, 47, principal of Wynnebrook Elementary School in West Palm Beach, was arrested late Friday night for driving under the influence (DUI) after allegedly tailing a man she didn’t know. The incident occurred in Boynton Beach, where Berry followed the man all the way to the police station.
The Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD) responded to the scene when the man reported that a car had been following him after he exited I-95 at the Lantana interchange. He said the car merged onto the exit ramp with him, got too close, and repeatedly flashed its headlights at him. To avoid the situation, the man continued driving and headed to the Boynton Beach Police Department. The car continued to follow him.
Upon arriving at the police station, officers identified the car as a Chrysler 200 with Berry behind the wheel. She claimed she had been following the man to report his alleged aggressive driving. However, the officer noted Berry’s speech was slurred, and her eyes appeared bloodshot. She admitted to having consumed a small amount of alcohol earlier in the evening but failed sobriety tests and refused to give a breath sample.
As a result, Berry was arrested, and her refusal to provide a breath sample led to a license suspension for 18 months. Following her arrest, the School District of Palm Beach County issued a letter to Wynnebrook Elementary families, acknowledging the incident but assuring that it was unrelated to her role at the school.
Central Regional Superintendent Valerie Zuloaga-Haines emphasized that the school would continue to provide support for its students and staff during the investigation.
