Tewksbury Woman Accused Driving Nearly 3X Legal Limit

LOWELL - One day after Vaneza M. Burgos, of Tewksbury, celebrated her 32nd birthday, she found herself in handcuffs accused of driving drunk at nearly three times the legal limit.

In Lowell District Court on Friday, Burgos was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to charges of: operating under the influence of alcohol --second offense; negligent operation of a motor vehicle; and marked lanes violation.

As a condition of her release, she must abstain from consuming alcohol. A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 10.

Tewksbury police allege that at 3 p.m. on Thursday, an officer was on routine patrol when he saw a car speeding through the McDonald's parking lot at 1928 Main St. The officer followed the car as it turned onto to Main Street where the officer followed it, watching as the car drifted over the fog line.

After stopping the vehicle, the officer approached Burgos, the driver, and smelled alcohol on her breath, according to court documents. Burgos denied drinking alcohol, but allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana hours earlier, according to police.

Burgos allegedly failed field sobriety tests. She agreed to take a portable breathalyzer test on which she registered a .21, nearly three times the legal limit of .08, police allege. After the breathalyzer test, Burgos allegedly admitted to drinking some nips about an hour earlier, police said.

A check of her record showed, Burgos has a previous drunken-driving conviction dating back to 2005.