Florida woman stops at McDonald’s, then killed 3 sheriff deputies. Then she blames McDonald’s for the ‘brain fog’

Florida nurse Corrinne Adrianna Blue was arrested on April 30, 2026, in connection with a deadly November 21, 2024, crash in Palm Beach County that killed three sheriff’s deputies, marking a major escalation in a case with unusual defense claims involving fatigue, overnight work, and a McDonald’s stop shortly before the collision.

Authorities say Blue, 32, was taken into custody more than a year after the crash on Southern Boulevard near Lion Country Safari Road, where three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle deputies were struck and killed while stopped on the roadside during a traffic enforcement operation.

The deputies killed in the incident were Corporal Luis Paez Jr., Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller, and Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz. According to investigators, the men were assisting with a disabled motorcycle when Blue’s SUV left the roadway and struck them on November 21, 2024.

Can McDonald’s cause brain fog?

Blue reportedly told investigators she had completed a 12-hour overnight nursing shift at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston before the crash and was driving home to West Palm Beach. As part of her statement to authorities, she also said she stopped at McDonald’s shortly before the crash. Investigators referenced that stop in assessing possible fatigue and post-meal drowsiness, although it has not been established as a causal factor in court.

While investigators focus on speed and lane changes, Blue’s counsel has pointed to “brain fog,” a non-clinical term used to describe reduced alertness or mental fatigue.

The phrase “brain fog” is not a clinical diagnosis, but researchers do recognize a phenomenon known as postprandial somnolence, which refers to drowsiness following meals.

Scientific explanations for this include changes in blood flow during digestion, hormone fluctuations involving insulin and glucose, and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. High-carbohydrate or large meals are more commonly associated with noticeable sleepiness in some individuals.

However, medical and traffic safety research generally emphasizes that post-meal drowsiness is usually mild and short-lived. Experts typically point to other factors, such as prolonged wakefulness, shift work, and sleep deprivation, as far more significant contributors to impaired driving performance.

In Blue’s case, investigators have noted she had been awake for an extended period due to her overnight work schedule, which is widely recognized in fatigue science as a major risk factor for slowed reaction time and impaired decision-making.

What happened when Blue crashed her car?

Florida Highway Patrol investigators allege Blue was driving westbound on Southern Boulevard at speeds estimated between 80 and 86 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone in the moments leading up to the crash. Reports also indicate her vehicle was weaving through traffic before veering off the roadway and striking the parked deputies.

The crash scene reconstruction, based on vehicle data and witness statements, has been central to the investigation since late 2024. The case remained active for months before the arrest in April 2026, as investigators continued reviewing digital evidence and toxicology findings.

No evidence of drug or alcohol impairment has been publicly linked to the charges; the focus remains on reckless speed and fatigue-related negligence.

Following her arrest, Blue faces three counts of vehicular homicide. Blue is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail while the case proceeds through the Florida court system. The investigation remains active, and officials have said additional details may be presented as the case moves toward trial.