Prison spared for woman with 3 DUIs in 18 days

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TAMPA, Fla., June 27 (UPI) -- An 18-year-old Florida woman who was charged with driving under the influence three times in 18 days was sentenced to a residential drug treatment program.

Kimberly McCarthy, 18, who told police she did not know "smoking marijuana and driving would be a DUI" during one of her three arrests during the spring, was sentenced by Hillsborough Circuit Judge Lisa Campbell to complete a residential drug treatment program followed by three years of community control and supervision, with an ankle monitor worn for the first two years, the Tampa Bay Times reported Wednesday.

McCarthy was spared prison after being charged in the spring with three counts of driving under the influence, careless driving, violating her learner's permit, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Campbell said McCarthy will remain in jail until a bed can be found for her in a residential drug treatment program.