Florida man charged with DUI manslaughter after crash

A 27-year-old Florida man faces DUI manslaughter charges after being involved in a violent car crash that left a 61-year-old woman dead. In addition to drunk driving, the suspect was also charged with one count each of driving without a license and driving without a license causing a fatality in a traffic accident. The crash remains under investigation.

According to troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol, the serious car accident occurred when the suspect lost control of his car as he was traveling southbound on U.S. 17, causing the vehicle to veer across a concrete divider and enter the path of the victim's oncoming car. The two vehicles struck each other in a nearly head-on collision, severely injuring both the victim and suspect.

Emergency response personnel transported the suspect to a nearby hospital, but later transferred him to a larger hospital due to the severity of his wounds. They took the victim to a third hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following his admission to the hospital, police took the suspect into custody. They will transport him to a county jail to await trial after he is released from treatment. Police believe the suspect was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, but it is unclear whether the man has submitted a blood sample for toxicology tests.

Drunk drivers kill hundreds of motorists on Florida roads each year, depriving those victims' families of their loved ones. Even when those drivers face criminal charges, victims' relatives may attempt to claim damages compensating them for the pain, loss and expenses incurred by their loss by filing wrongful death lawsuits. Florida residents interested in pursuing such a course of action should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about wrongful death lawsuits.

Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal, "DeLand man arrested in fatal crash near DeLeon Springs," Patricio G. Balona, Feb. 6, 2013