The Samantha Zussman DUI Arrest Heathrow incident began with a violent collision that left a silver Honda Accord with heavy front-end damage and deployed airbags. On June 22, 2024, what was supposed to be a night out for a group of friends turned into a legal nightmare in the quiet community of Heathrow in Lake Mary, Florida. An 18-year-old girl, allegedly fueled by alcohol from a local “Social Eats” spot and armed with a fake ID, rear-ended her own friends at a high rate of speed.
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Watch: Samantha Zussman DUI Arrest Heathrow Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:09:58 where the suspect admits to consuming alcohol despite initially denying it.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
At approximately 2:35 AM, Seminole County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the intersection of St. Albans Loop and Heathrow Boulevard. They arrived to find a scene of chaos involving two vehicles: a grey Honda Accord and a silver Toyota Tacoma. The Honda, driven by Samantha Zussman, had slammed into the back of the Tacoma.
The twist? The occupants of both vehicles were all friends. The friends in the Toyota Tacoma told deputies that Zussman had been “flying” down the road before the impact. They claimed she hit them so hard that their truck was pushed up onto the curb.
When Deputy Isabella Tolkov arrived, the air was thick with the “odor of the impurities of alcohol”. Zussman was described as being in an erratic mood, switching between normal conversation and crying. She was also wearing a wristband that looked like it came from a bar.
Under questioning, Zussman’s story began to shift. She first claimed she hadn’t been drinking at all. Moments later, she admitted to having a “regular-sized beer” at Bounce House Social Eats about three hours prior.
Perhaps the most startling admission was her age and how she got the drink. Zussman told deputies she was only 18 years old and had used a fake ID to get into the venue. She claimed she was only going about 22 mph when the crash happened, blaming her friends for stopping in the middle of the road.
Failing the Tests: The Field Sobriety Investigation
Deputies used blue painter’s tape to mark a line on the sidewalk for Field Sobriety Exercises. The results were devastating for Zussman’s defense. During the “Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus” test, officers observed a distinct lack of smooth pursuit in her eye movements—a classic sign of impairment.
The “Walk and Turn” exercise was even more telling. Zussman struggled to even stay in the starting position. She took ten steps instead of the instructed nine, missed heel-to-toe connections, and used her arms for balance.
Finally, during the “One Leg Stand,” she bent her knee backward “like a flamingo” instead of keeping her leg straight as instructed. She was unable to maintain her balance and had to put her foot down multiple times.
Later, at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, breathalyzer tests provided the final evidence. Her samples came back at 0.131 and 0.117, both well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
The Arrest: Charges Against Samantha Zussman
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| DUI-Unlawful Blood Alcohol | Driving with a blood/breath alcohol level over 0.08. | Up to 6 months jail, fines, and license suspension for a first offense. |
| DUI with Property Damage | Driving under the influence and causing a crash that damaged property. | Enhanced fines and potential restitution for vehicle repairs. |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Samantha Zussman DUI Arrest Heathrow Justified?
As a legal expert looking at this case, the Fourth Amendment requirements for a lawful stop and search appear to be fully met. Because this was a traffic crash investigation, deputies had a “community caretaking” duty to arrive and investigate the accident.
The transition from a crash investigation to a criminal DUI investigation was supported by Probable Cause. The combination of the “odor of alcohol,” the suspect’s erratic behavior, the admission of drinking, and the physical evidence of the crash gave officers the legal right to request sobriety exercises.
Furthermore, the suspect was read her Miranda Rights and voluntarily agreed to speak with officers and perform the exercises. Under Florida’s Implied Consent laws, drivers are generally required to submit to breath testing following a lawful DUI arrest or face an automatic license suspension.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Legal Implications and Procedures
What are the legal consequences of using a fraudulent ID to purchase alcohol in Florida?
In Florida, using a fake ID to misrepresent one’s age for the purpose of obtaining alcoholic beverages is a second-degree misdemeanor, which can lead to a jail sentence of up to 60 days and a $500 fine. Furthermore, under Florida’s “zero tolerance” policy, if a minor is caught with any alcohol in their system while driving, their license can be suspended immediately.
Can a driver be charged with a DUI if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is below the .08 limit?
Yes. A person can be charged with a DUI if their “normal faculties” are impaired by alcohol or chemical substances, regardless of their BAC level. In this specific case, while the suspect’s breath samples were .131 and .117, the officer initially noted impairment based on physical cues and failed sobriety exercises.
What is the “Implied Consent” law, and how does it affect a DUI investigation?
Florida’s Implied Consent law means that by holding a driver’s license, you have already agreed to submit to approved chemical or physical tests (breath, urine, or blood) if an officer has probable cause to believe you are driving under the influence. Refusing these tests results in an automatic one-year suspension of driving privileges for a first-time refusal.
How does a “DUI with Property Damage” differ from a standard DUI charge?
A standard DUI focuses on the act of operating a vehicle while impaired, whereas a DUI involving property damage or personal injury is a more serious offense. If a driver causes a crash while intoxicated, they can be held liable for all damages, and the criminal penalties—including fines and potential jail time—are typically higher than a simple DUI.
What is the role of a “Certified Intoxilyzer Operator” in a DUI arrest?
A Certified Intoxilyzer Operator is a specifically trained official responsible for administering the breathalyzer test and ensuring the equipment is functioning according to state standards. In this case, Officer Thomas Noland performed the tests to ensure the readings were legally admissible as presumptive proof of the suspect’s alcohol level.
Conclusion & Current Status
Samantha Zussman was arrested and transported to the hospital for medical clearance due to the airbag deployment before being booked into jail. Her vehicle, which she affectionately called her “dream car,” was towed from the scene with heavy damage.
The case was formally filed by the State Attorney’s Office in July 2024. Zussman faces misdemeanor charges that could impact her future as she mentioned plans to attend Florida State University.
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Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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