Driver Faces Charges In Fatal Florida DUI Crash

Drinking and driving is not only illegal but also dangerous. Alcohol causes intoxication, which can lead to a lack of judgment as well as serious accidents. In some cases, innocent lives are killed.

Sadly, this was the case in January, when a pedestrian was hit and killed by a drunk driver whose blood alcohol content (BAC) was three times the legal limit. The fatal accident occurred just before midnight on January 18 in Davie, at the intersection of State Road 7 and Griffin Road.

A 27-year-old man was driving a BMW X2 when he hit a 45-year-old man who was walking in the median. Rescue crews arrived at the accident scene. When they tried to remove the driver from the vehicle, his response was “Ya’ll chill, I’m just intoxicated.”

The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was tested for DUI. His BAC was 0.244%, more than three times the Florida limit of .08%.

The incident happened after the driver’s girlfriend showed up to confront him at Ghost Bar on South State Road 7. The man was speeding when he left the bar. In fact, a report showed that the man was traveling between 108 and 117 miles per hour at the time of the crash. This is more than double the road’s speed limit of 45 miles per hour.

Before the accident, the man was speeding. He then abruptly switched lanes to cross a median on State Route 7. After hitting the median, the BMW hit the pedestrian, who was trying to cross the road. The pedestrian died from his injuries.

The man appeared in court in early June to face criminal charges for DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and excessive speed. The arrest brings some solace to the deceased pedestrian’s family, as the man will likely spend many years behind bars.

The man has faced driver’s license issues in the past. His license was cancelled indefinitely on March 13, 2020. It was then suspended on November 3, 2020, after refusing to pay fines.

DUI Manslaughter vs. Vehicular Homicide

DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide are similar but different crimes. DUI manslaughter occurs when a person operates a vehicle while intoxicated to the level of a DUI and kills someone as a result. It is a second-degree felony in most cases, but if the offender does not give aid and information, it becomes a first-degree, which is punishable by 30 years in prison.

Vehicular homicide occurs when a person drives recklessly and kills someone as a result. Unlike DUI manslaughter, intoxication does not need to be a factor. However, the penalties are the same. 

Seek Help for Your DUI Case

Intoxication leads to excessive speed, lack of judgment, and often death. DUI manslaughter is a serious crime in particular, as it kills innocent lives.

You need a solid defense for a DUI charge, especially if you have previous DUIs or driver’s license issues. Seek legal help from the Dade City & Zephyrhills DUI manslaughter attorneys at Madonna Law Group. Schedule a consultation today by calling (800) 557-0411 or filling out the online form.

Resource:

clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/06/09/chill-im-just-intoxicated-florida-dui-suspect-says-after-hitting-killing-pedestrian-police-say/