Florida psychologist Lisa Bliss charged with drunk driving; blood alcohol nearly 3x legal limit; son was in vehicle

March 18, 2011

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- A Volusia County school psychologist is facing charges Friday, accused of driving while drunk with her 9-year-old son in the car., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said Lisa Bliss' blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit after she crashed into a concrete barrier near her Lake Mary home. Bliss is a school psychologist who works with students in a few schools across Volusia County.

She only made it one block from the Vineyard Wine Bar in Lake Mary before crashing her car.

Troopers said they responded to the scene and smelled alcohol. They said Bliss failed three field sobriety tests. The legal limit for alcohol measurement in Florida is .08, but troopers said Bliss was at .21, nearly three times the legal limit.

“That's disturbing to us because as a mother your primary job is to protect your children,” said Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Bliss told the FHP she just needed a night out. She's on spring break from the Volusia County School District.

A spokeswoman for the district told WFTV Bliss has worked as a psychologist at various schools since 2005. She says Bliss is considered an excellent employee.

The manager the Vineyard Wine Bar told WFTV Bliss had four glasses of wine over two hours, but never showed signs of being drunk.

On Monday, Bliss will have to meet with the district's office of professional standards to talk about her arrest.

She’s charged with a DUI with property damage and driving under the influence with a minor in her car.

Source: "School psychologist accused of DUI with son in car," WFTV (Volusia, Florida), March 18, 2011.