DRUNKEN WOMAN SLIPS OUT OF CUFFS

A PUNTA GORDA WOMAN IS SPENDING THE FOURTH BEHIND BARS AFTER SHE WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.  PUNTA GORDA POLICE SAY 42 YEAR OLD LINDA FLANAGAN WAS CLOCKED GOING 74 MILES PER HOUR OVER THE GILCHRIST BRIDGE ON THE SOUTHBOUND SIDE OF TAMIAMI TRAIL, WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45.  FLANAGAN WAS REPORTEDLY UPSET AND BEGAN SCREAMING OBSCENITIES AT POLICE WHEN SHE WAS PULLED OVER.  ONCE SHE WAS PLACED UNDER ARREST FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND WAS HEADED FOR THE JAIL, SHE REPORTEDLY CONTINUED WITH THE OBSCENITIES AS SHE WAS SLIPPING OUT OF THE HANDCUFFS.  ONCE OFF, SHE FLUNG THEM AT AN OFFICER IN THE CRUISER, HITTING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AS WELL AS SMASHING OUT THE DOME LIGHT.  FLANAGAN WAS RE-HANDCUFFED AND TAKEN TO JAIL, AND THE CHARGE OF BATTERY ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WAS ADDED TO THE DUI CHARGE.  SHE IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND.