Broward DUI Lawyer Blog

A polo mogul charged in connection with a 2010 Wellington DUI manslaughter accident found out recently his trial date has been set, NBC News reports.

DUI manslaughter is the most serious DUI-related charge that a driver can face in Florida. Our West Palm Beach DUI defense lawyers understand the seriousness of the charges and fight for drivers facing these charges frequently.

In Florida, a conviction for a DUI manslaughter charge can result in a 15-year prison sentence. That's the maximum sentence, but judges have discretion to sentence anywhere in between. Other factors, including proven actions of the defendant or accompanying charges, can increase the sentence.

Undoubtedly, these are among the most emotional cases because any time a life is lost, it will be a case that family members on each side will attend. Though both the family of the victim and defendant can sympathize with the loss of a life, they obviously have different interests and that can make emotions run high.

In this case, according to the news station, the defendant is charged with causing an accident that knocked a 23-year-old driver into a canal. The crash caused him to drown at the scene. Police allege the man who caused the accident drove off.

According to previous news reports, the man is charged with running a stop sign and causing the accident. The victim's car was turned upside down in a canal, leading to his death.

The driver faces charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and failing to render aid. The DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges both carry potential 15-year prison sentences, though the defendant can't be convicted and sentenced on both charges.

Some have questioned why a trial for this man hasn't already happened, but any experienced West Palm Beach DUI defense lawyer will tell you that these complex matters take time. While family of the victim may say that this is posturing by the defense, but it truly is not.

When a person's liberty is at stake and another person has died, these matters can't be rushed. The reports from police must be carefully studied and witness testimony must be scrutinized. Depositions are scheduled and compared to what was said previously to police.

Perhaps the longest delay is lab work sent to state-run laboratories that often takes months to come back to prosecutors, who then must send it to the defense. Often, these results must be challenged through expert witnesses. The entire process may seem long to onlookers, but it simply takes time to complete.

Any person who could end up facing a criminal charge would want the same consideration. While members of the public who have never faced a criminal charge sometimes want a person convicted right when they see an arrest made, if the shoe was on the other foot, they may not have the same opinion.

Continue reading "March Trial Date Set for Wellington DUI Manslaughter Case" »

A judge recently ruled that the man charged with DUI manslaughter in a crash that killed a Miami Heat dancer must stay in the country permanently, NBC Miami reports.

DUI manslaughter in Fort Lauderdale is a major felony charge because it deals with the death of another person the accused was operating a vehicle.

Our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyers have used our experience to defend many DUI cases, including those involving deaths. Often, these are the most emotional cases and it is important that jurors, judges and prosecutors make decisions based on the facts and the law and not emotion.

It is often the job of an experienced lawyer to present the facts in a case and ensure that a trial stays on track and isn't derailed by anything but the evidence. A defendant requires a fair trial, every time, without fail.

A 43-year-old man was charged in September 2010 after his car collided with a woman's motorcycle, ridden by a 22-year-old Miami Heat dancer.

The man recently requested permission to travel to Mexico City on behalf of his Fort Lauderdale insurance brokerage firm. But a judge ruled that he is not allowed to leave the country, even for business purposes.

Police say the man swerved into her lane, killing her. The man allegedly told police he had two vodka drinks while he was out before the crash. The woman died at the seen.

There are a few lessons that should be taken from this situation. The first is that accidents happen. People get into vehicle accidents on a daily basis and often they are the result of poor driving habits, including being distracted -- talking or texting on the phone, trying to eat and drive, apply makeup or change the radio station.

Sometimes, they are blinded by oncoming headlights or have a vehicle malfunction that causes a crash. Often, a medical problem can be the reason for the accident, too.

Even if a person has had a drink or two, it doesn't mean they were driving drunk. The state must prove that the alcohol in a person's system was the reason for the crash, and that can be difficult.

The other thing to keep in mind here is that while people who have had a drink or two can sometimes cause accidents, so can the victim, especially a motorcycle rider. Many motorcyclists ride far too fast and use aggressive driving habits, which can lead to accidents as well.

Law enforcement officers must not make assumptions that lead to major criminal charges. They must fully investigate and look at all angles and not just the ones that seem obvious. In traffic accidents especially, there is often more than meets the eye.

Continue reading "Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter Ordered to Stay in Miami, U.S." »

A Boca Raton man faces a charge of DUI manslaughter after allegedly crashing into a Boynton Beach motorcyclist in March, the Sun Sentinel reports.

This case could be difficult for the state to prove, however, because it is a drug-DUI case and not a typical alcohol-DUI case. This is the rare situation when police believe the driver was under the influence of drugs and not alcohol at the time of an accident that turned deadly.

And police departments are woefully unprepared for such investigations. Every beat police officer gets trained in how to detect a driver under the influence of alcohol, but very few -- less than 1 percent of officers worldwide -- know how to detect how drugs affect a driver and how to spot it.

Yet, this driver faces the ultimate DUI-related charge of DUI manslaughter in Boca Raton. In Florida, this charge can be punished by up to 15 years in prison, a hefty price. And these cases tend to be emotional because of the loss of life.

For that reason, it can be difficult for a Boca Raton DUI defense lawyer to convince a judge to lower the sentence if a person is convicted. Still, aggressively fighting the charges and seeking an acquittal or lower charge conviction is important.

In this case, the 26-year-old defendant is accused of pulling out in front of a Boynton Beach man who was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The motorcyclist hit the side of the vehicle and was thrown from his bike, dying about an hour later at a hospital.

The Sun Sentinel reports that blood tests, which took seven months to complete, showed that the man had oxycodone and alprazolam in his system, as much as four times the prescribed amount. The tests also allegedly showed he had THC, the main ingredient in marijuana.

But the tough thing about these cases is that many drugs can stay in a person's system for days or weeks. Marijuana, for instance, can be in a person's system for as long as 45 days.

Other prescription drugs have various time limits to stay in a person's blood stream, depending on what else the person consumes in a certain time frame. The report states that the man had legally filled prescriptions for the two prescription drugs the day before.

Sometimes, a person has a bad reaction to a prescription drug, which can impair his or her driving ability. But it's not a situation of drug abuse, but rather not knowing how drugs will affect them. Especially when a person takes a heavy painkiller, they may not know how it will affect them or their ability to drive.

Yet, if they get into an accident or get pulled over, they could be facing DUI charges in Boca Raton or throughout South Florida. If a person dies, then all of a sudden they face DUI manslaughter charges.

Continue reading "Drug-DUI Manslaughter Accident in Boca Raton Has Challenges" »

A defendant recently came before a Fort Lauderdale judge requesting his 10 years' probation that he is currently serving be terminated. The probation was part of sentencing that stemmed from a fatal DUI accident in 1999. The judge denied his request, 7 News reports.

Many defendants who are charged with DUI manslaughter in Fort Lauderdale end up entering a plea because the evidence against them is overwhelming. Sometimes, though, it is a strategy that not only allows the family to avoid a trial full of gruesome details, photos and reminders, but also gets the defendant a good deal with reduced time.

An aggressive Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorney can use years of experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system to help defendants get the best possible plea deal or trial defense strategy. While sometimes the evidence is overwhelming, there may be cases with "holes" that can be poked, potentially leading to better offers from prosecutors.

In this case, the defendant was convicted of killing a man in 1999 in a drunk-driving accident, the news station reports. He served two years in prison and was also sentenced to 10 years on probation.

After having served half of that time, he filed a motion to terminate probation early. This is a commonly filed motion by defendants who have had sparkling records of incarceration and probation and have done everything right. In order to reward them for serving their time as well as save the state money to get them off the probation rolls, it can be a win-win situation.

But, as in most DUI manslaughter or alcohol-related cases, the emotions were high inside the Broward County courthouse. A member of the victim's family had to be escorted out by deputies after yelling at the defendant.

The victim's family was there in full force, complaining about the fact that the defendant was simply using the rights he has to file a motion that he is legally allowed to file. They said he was putting them "through a nightmare all over again."

Sadly, sometimes judges allow that emotion from family members to sway their decision when assessing whether the defendant deserves a chance to prove himself or herself out in the world again.

Even with the defendant's family there in support, it wasn't enough as the judge denied the motion. The man will have to remain on probation.

These cases are tough and typically have family members on both sides in tears. But that doesn't mean defendants should get railroaded by the state and the system. They must have an advocate -- an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyer who will stand by their side to preserve their rights.

And that includes every stage of the proceeding, from before trial to after trial and all times in between. A defendant should be well-represented in all situations.

Continue reading "Termination of Probation Early Denied in Fort Lauderdale DUI Manslaughter" »

The Sun Sentinel recently reported that a 33-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for driving drunk and killing a 43-year-old motorcyclist in 2009.

The man was 31 on Sept. 8, 2009. He was driving his fiancee's 9-year-old daughter to school one early morning when he crashed into the motorcycle, dragging the 43-year-old victim 180 feet before stopping, leaving the girl in the car and running away.

Charges of DUI Manslaughter in Fort Lauderdale are some of the most serious a person can face and can result in long prison sentences. An aggressive and experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense Attorney will fight all aspects of the charges and seek to suppress key evidence the state intends to use.

According to the news report, the man had a blood-alcohol content level of .236 after he was arrested. It's unclear from the report whether that number was determined by blood testing or breath testing.

A Broward circuit judge sentenced the man to 10 years in prison on a charge of DUI manslaughter and five years on a charge of child neglect with both sentences running at the same time. He was also placed on 15 years probation after the prison term; a requirement of release will be that he not drink alcohol and will undergo random drug and alcohol testing.

The newspaper reports that at the time of the crash, the defendant was wanted in Maryland for violating probation on a case in which he was driving drunk and left the scene of an accident that involved bodily injury.

In Florida, DUI manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Because of the severe penalty attached to the charge, an aggressive defense should include challenging all evidence, reconstructing the scene of the accident and vigorously cross-examining witnesses the state intends to call at trial.

While the state in many of these cases retains expert witnesses in order to bolster its case against the defendant, an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense Attorney, too, has a list of experts at their disposal to counter the state's witnesses.

There are many aspects of a DUI Manslaughter case that can be challenged in Broward County. Some of them are -- how the arrest was made, how the blood-alcohol content level was determined and who was at fault in the accident.

How the arrest was made: In most DUI investigations, law enforcement officers make a traffic stop for a variety of reasons, from a brake light being out to sudden starts and stops to swerving in lanes. With cases involving a death, the investigation typically starts after an accident occurs. When multiple vehicles are involved, police must diligently investigate to determine how the accident occurred and not just take eye witness statements at their word. People can fudge details and misrepresent what happened.

How the blood-alcohol content was measured: As in any DUI investigation, officers will attempt to get a blood-alcohol level from a suspect. In Florida, the legal limit is .08. These levels can be determined by a blood test and through breath testing. Breath testing, however, simply produces an estimate, not a measurement and the devices have been known to be faulty. A breath test may be denied and officers can sometimes obtain warrants signed by a judge to obtain a blood test. Either of these pieces of evidence can be thrown out of court if procedures aren't followed.

Who was at fault in the accident: Even in pedestrian-related DUI manslaughter cases, the driver may not be at fault. Even if the driver's blood-alcohol content level was above the legal limit, someone else can cause an accident. All options should be explored to ensure justice is done in these serious cases.

Continue reading "Man Gets 10 Years in Prison For Miramar Fatal DUI Wreck" »

While recent news that a Palm Beach County fire chief's son is accused of killing a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office parking enforcement worker is tragic, it shows the need for an aggressive and experienced West Palm Beach DUI defense lawyer..

According to The Palm Beach Post, a 26-year-old Wellington man recently turned himself in to authorities in connection with a November crash in Lake Worth that left one man dead. The defendant is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.

The article reports that the victim died at the scene at the intersection of Haverhill Road and Forest Hill Boulevard, while the surviving driver was hospitalized in serious condition at Delray Medical Center.

The article reports that sheriff's office detectives believe the defendant ran a red light and hit the van driven by the man who died at the scene. The victim was a parking enforcement worker at the Palm Beach International Airport since 2004.

The case illustrates why you should do your research and pick a DUI attorney in Fort Lauderdale who has more than two decades of experience defending drunken driving suspects.

Scene reconstruction may be the best defense you can have in a serious crash case. Penalties for DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide can include dozens of years in prison, so a proper defense may be the one thing separating you from incarceration. An aggressive Broward County DUI attorney can hire experts and build a solid defense for even the most complex and difficult drunk driving cases.

Continue reading "Death of Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office worker in DUI Accident Requires Aggressive Defense" »

A 43-year-old man has been released on bond after being charged in connection with the alleged Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a Miami Heat dancer last September, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

While we frequently report on the need to hire an experienced Broward DUI defense attorney whenever you are facing drunk driving allegations, that is never more true than in the wake of a serious or fatal accident. As we reported previously on our Broward DUI Lawyer Blog, the 22-year-old dancer was killed when her motorcycle was struck by a Mercedes.

She was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSXR in the 700 block of East Sunrise Boulevard and was pronounced dead at the scene. She had signed on to dance with the Heat this season, beginning with the preseason opener on Oct. 5.

Police say his blood-alcohol level was .24 and .23 -- about three times the legal limit; the first sample was reportedly drawn 90 minutes after the crash.

The Miami Herald reports the defendant is accused of striking her motorcycle from behind. He reportedly told police he had consumed two vodka drinks at the Galleria mall in the moments before the collision. Another good example of why it's best to remain silent. You are not going to talk your way out of charges in a serious accident. If you feel the need to share, do so with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

The defendant has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter. Under state law, a Florida DUI Manslaughter charge is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Continue reading "Florida DUI Manslaughter Charges filed after Fort Lauderdale Accident claims life of Miami Heat Dancer" »

CNN reports a man has been sentenced to 51-years to life in prison for a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a Major League Baseball pitcher.

While an extreme example, this case illustrates why it is critical to consult an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer as early as possible when an arrest involves a serious or fatal accident. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports 1,004 motorists died in drunk driving accidents last year in Florida -- or about 3 a day.

Judges and prosecutors are not known for their leniency in such cases -- long prison sentences are the norm without an aggressive and experienced defense. Perhaps most alarming is the fact that law enforcement too often switches focus from determining the cause of an accident to gathering evidence of a motorist's guilt once it is alleged that a party to an accident was intoxicated.

Consulting an attorney as early as possible in the process -- before formal charges are even filed -- can be the best bet when it comes to fighting for your rights and your freedom. An independent accident investigation may reveal other causes for the crash. If prosecutors fail to prove either that you were responsible for the accident or that you were intoxicated, than the most serious charges against you may be reduced or dismissed.

In this case, the defendant was accused of speeding through a red light and running into a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels in April 2009. The defendant allegedly had a blood-alcohol level that was three times over the legal limit.

The 22-year-old pitcher was in his first year in the major leagues. He had just pitched his fourth game hours earlier. The crash also killed a 20-year-old college student and a 25-year-old law student.

Continue reading "Half-century sentence of DUI accident illustrates need for aggressive defense " »

The Examiner reports a defendant has reached a negotiated plea as the result of a January 2009 drunk driving accident in Miami that killed a Plantation doctor.

Richard Doval will be sentenced to six years in prison, two years of house arrests and fifteen years of probation. His driver's license was suspended for life and he must pay more than $25,000 in restitution.

The job of a Miami drunk driving defense lawyer is to reach the best resolution possible in a case, given the facts. In this case, a well-known doctor was killed in a crosswalk. Under Florida law, anyone convicted of DUI manslaughter or vehicular homicide faces up to 30 years in prison if the charge includes allegations of leaving the scene of an accident.

Prior published accounts report the doctor was walking across the street with three colleagues who were in Miami to attend a medical conference. A truck plowed through the intersection, hitting the doctor in the crosswalk and throwing him 65 feet to his death. The driver did not stop after the collision, but was followed by a witness and stopped by police. He reportedly had a half-empty bottle of liquor in his truck at the time of his arrest.

The 60-year-old physician had worked as a kidney specialist with offices in Coral Springs and Lauderdale Lakes.

Continue reading "Negotiated plea reached in Miami drunk driving accident that killed physician" »

A West Palm Beach DUI accident has resulted in a 10-year prison sentence, the Palm Beach Post reported.

As we frequently report on our Broward DUI Lawyer Blog, fatal drunk driving accidents frequently lead to long prison sentences in South Florida. What we mention less frequency is the importance of seeking experienced and aggressive legal representation as early in the process as possible. In this case, a West Palm Beach DUI defense attorney had an obligation to defend the client against both the allegation of drunk driving and the accusation that he was responsible for causing the accident. The fact that drag racing was allegedly involved makes it even more critical to begin investigating the accident as soon as possible.

Too often, days or weeks or even months pass before a defendant understands the seriousness of his or her situation and seeks the advice of a qualified attorney. It is important to understand that law enforcement at the scene of an accident are charged with deciding who is at fault and collecting evidence of his or her guilt. Consequently, evidence of innocence is frequently ignored. The resulting one-sided police reports do not begin to tell the whole story. This is never more true than when one party to an accident is accused of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. At that point, any attempt to gather evidence objectively typically ceases and the focus is on gathering evidence pointing toward the guilt of an allegedly intoxicated driver.

The earlier a defense lawyer can begin defending a client, the better the chance of collecting solid evidence related to the accident. Additionally, statements made by a defendant after arrest can be among the most damaging evidence in such cases. Exercising your right to remain silent and contacting an attorney is always your smartest option.

In this case, the defendant was sentenced on two counts of DUI manslaughter, and two counts of DUI while causing or contributing to injury to a person or property. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of probation. His driver's license was permanently suspended.

He was convicted of a four-car accident that killed two teenagers in March 2008. One of the victims was allegedly drag racing the defendant at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "DUI drag racing accident in Palm Beach highlights importance of accident investigation" »

A Miami Heat dancer on a motorcycle died after being struck by a Mercedes in what is being investigated as a possible drunk driving accident in Fort Lauderdale, according to the Miami Herald.

In cases like this, a Fort Laudrdale DUI defense lawyer should be consulted as early as possible, even before charges are filed. In a high-profile drunk driving accident, law enforcement is under increased pressure to build a case and to charge a driver. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer may even prevent a driver from being charged. Additionally, the early involvement of an attorney can help prevent a client from making mistakes when asked to give statements or provide other information that could harm his or her defense.

The 22-year-old dancer from Plantation was riding a 2003 Suzuki GSXR in the 700 block of East Sunrise Boulavard when she was struck by a 2009 Mercedes, which was benind her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police announced the drunk driving investigation but then said it would be months before it is determined whether charges will be filed.

The victim had signed on to dance with the Miami Heat this season, beginning with the preseason opener on Oct. 5. A native of Nicaragua, she moved to the United States as an infant and had graduated from Bradenton's Bayshore High School.

Continue reading "Death of Miami Heat dancer in alleged Fort Lauderdale DUI accident highlights importance of seeking legal representation during investigation" »

It has been nearly three years since the Fort Lauderdale DUI Manslaughter case of former Yankee star Jim Leyrtiz began, yet the criminal case drags on months after he entered into a civil agreement with the victim's family, ESPN reports.

Leyrtiz ws headed home from his 44th birthday party when he allegedly ran a red light in downtown Fort Lauderdale in his SUV, causing an accident that killed a 30-year-old mother of two. His blood-alcohol level tested .14 three hours after the collision.

We reported in May on our Broward DUI Lawyer Blog that Leyritz had agreed to pay a $350,000 civil settlement in the case. The settlement involved a $250,000 settlement to the victim's husband and two children and $100,000 in $1,000 monthly installments beginning April 15, 2011.

The victim had just left her job as a bartender in Fort Lauderdale and was also driving legally drunk, according to media accounts of blood-test results.

Since that night, ESPN reports that Leyritz has twice been arrested for drinking in violation of the terms of his probation and was charged with domestic assault in an incident involving his ex-wife; that case is still pending. Despite claims of his innocence (he maintains he had the green light and the woman struck him), he has reportedly been shunned by the Yankees, is nearly broke and has been forced to seek assistance from the Baseball Assistance Team, a charity for troubled players.

As tragic as this case is, it illustrates the critical need for an experienced and aggressive Fort Lauderdale drunk driving defense attorney. The state must prove that the defendant was drunk and that he caused the accident. By mounting an aggressive defense against both the DUI charge and the cause of the accident, an experienced lawyer will stand the best chance of defending a client facing DUI manslaughter.

The court of public opinion can be just as important. And an attorney can also assist in defending a client's reputation with the media, his employer and other parties. Lastly, a good criminal defense lawyer can and should work with civil attorneys to defend a client against a civil judgment, which can impact a person's quality of life long after a criminal case is over.

The defense suffered a major blow last week when a judge ordered they would not be able to show that the victim was text messaging, was not wearing a seat belt and was even more intoxicated than Leyritz. His attorney has asked for a delay while he appeals the decision.

Continue reading "Problems for former Yankee's star continue as court ruling delays Fort Lauderdale DUI manslaughter case" »

Being involved in a Florida DUI car accident is bad enough, but for one 61-year-old woman in Pasco County, things went from bad to worse when she was arrested and charged with DUI after rear-ending a stopped Pasco County cruiser, which then struck the vehicle it was behind, tbo.com reports.

While no one was injured, the driver agreed to a field sobriety test. According to arrest affidavit details included in the tbo.com report, the driver "swayed and otherwise did poorly" during the test. An experienced South Florida DUI lawyer should always be called to represent someone charged with drunk driving, but especially anytime an accident allegation is involved.

Many drivers think that taking a breath test or participating in a sobriety test will prevent them from being arrested, or that a good showing could keep them from being charged with a DUI. In reality, the officer has likely decided to charge you with drunk driving by the time such tests are requested. Probable cause is usually indicated in the police report by some mention of visual signs of intoxication - glassy eyes or slurred speech are commonly indicated - or the smell of alcohol.

It is also not uncommon for police reports and affidavits to paint an incomplete picture of events leading up to whatever incident resulting in your arrest and subsequent charges. The best course of action for a driver who thinks they may be facing a DUI arrest is to remain calm, polite and quiet. Later on, documenting your recollection of events and sharing them with your attorney can be of added benefit to your defense.

Continue reading "Pasco driver charged with DUI after striking deputy's vehicle on US 19" »

An Ocala woman is facing a DUI manslaughter charge in the Florida Keys after allegedly crashing a car on Stock Island in a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a passenger, Keys Net reported.

The 22-year-old driver was in jail on Tuesday and charged with driving under the influence-manslaughter and two counts of DUI causing bodily injury. The charges stem from the May 30 crash that killed a 29-year-old man. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the defendant was driving a Chrysler northbound on U.S. 1 on Stock Island. She was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed when she turned right onto MacDonald Avenue, striking a curb and then a concrete utility pole.

The accident happened at about 4:15 a.m. She was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami along with two other passengers. A fourth victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was being held in jail on a $100,000 bond.

Under Florida law, DUI manslaughter 316.193(3) F.S. is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Continue reading "Florida Keys drunk driving accident results in DUI manslaughter charges" »

Four members of an Orlando family were killed while on vacation in St. Petersburg when a man allegedly ran a red light while driving drunk and slammed into their car, the Palm Beach Post reported.

These are always horrific cases. This driver needs the best Florida drunk driving accident lawyer he can find. Prosecutors won't deal. Judges are too happy to hand out the kind of incredibly harsh sentences they think the voters want. And the media dutifully records it all as criminal justice. Meanwhile, the futures of two families are destroyed. The truth is, defendants in these cases are consumed by guilt and would do anything to turn back time. The fact that state prosecutors think they win if everyone loses only compounds the tragedy.

Without the aggressive representation of a veteran Florida drunk driving defense attorney, this man is likely to spend decades behind bars.

The 20-year-old driver was arrested on four counts of DUI manslaughter, along with DUI causing serious bodily injury and possession of alcohol by a minor. Both the driver and a 20-year-old passenger were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

A 51-year-old account and triathlete was behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion at about 12:45 a.m. when a speeding Impala ran the light on Dr. Martin Luther King Street North at 22nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg. The driver was killed, along with other relatives, ages 28, 24 and 19.

The four men had gone to a movie and were on the way back to a rented house in Redington Beach, where other family members were staying.

Continue reading "Four Orlando family members killed in alleged drunk driving accident" »