Woman Sues Clearwater for False Arrest After DUI Manslaughter Charges Dropped

Lawsuit Alleges False Arrest and Unjustified Charges

• 📌 Hannah Ray is suing the city of Clearwater, claiming her arrest for DUI manslaughter was unreasonable and unjustified.
• ⚖️ The lawsuit asserts that police lacked probable cause for the charges, which were eventually dropped by prosecutors about a month after her arrest.
• 🏛️ Ray's attorney, Tom Wadley, states that authorities violated her Fourth Amendment rights and that lawsuits are a primary way to hold officers accountable.

Details of the Incident and Arrest

• 🚗 The incident occurred on December 4, 2022, when Ray was involved in a crash resulting in a motorcyclist's death.
• 🚫 According to the arrest report, an officer claimed Ray made an improper left turn, but Ray stated she was confused by a road closure sign and was unsure if the turn was prohibited.
• 💨 The lawsuit disputes the arresting officer's claims of impairment, noting that Ray's eyes were clear and a medical report showed no alcohol or drugs in her system.
• 🚶‍♀️ Ray reportedly performed sobriety tests, including the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand, near flawlessly, which her attorney described as one of the best performances he'd seen in 43 years of practice.

Lasting Impact and Legal Recourse

• 💔 Ray describes the arrest as her "worst nightmare" and is seeking to hold the city accountable for damaging her name and reputation.
• 📢 Even after charges were dropped, her mugshot and arrest details remained publicly accessible for months, including on the Clearwater Police Department's social media, leading to vicious online comments.
• 🧠 Ray is still living with PTSD from the experience and believes the system is flawed, stating it troubles her that police can allegedly falsify records without accountability.
• 🗣️ The city of Clearwater stated it cannot comment on active litigation.