Woman arrested on suspicion of DUI after downtown Modesto wreck

MODESTO -- A woman who lost control of her car and knocked down a light pole and tree in downtown Modesto was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Ingrid Benham, 48, of Modesto was heading west in the 1400 block of H Street on Friday morning when she said she was attempting to change lanes in rainy conditions.

She said she hit a patch of water and hit her brakes. She said her brakes locked and she lost control of her Kia Amanti.

The vehicle hit a signpost and spun into a city tree in front of Gowans Printing Co., coming to a stop a few feet from the front door.

Police responded and gave Benham a field sobriety test. She told police she was sick and had taken medication earlier in the day. An officer gave her a breath test, which reportedly showed her blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.

She was taken into custody.