Florida Woman Was Nearly 5 Times Over Legal Limit When She Killed Mother of Three
A Florida woman is facing DUI manslaughter charges. According to police, she was late for work and nearly 5 times over the legal limit when she T-boned another vehicle claiming the life of its occupant. The victim was a wife and mother of three children. The accident occurred at the Winter Springs intersection. The 25-year-old suspect was arrested at her home and charged with a litany of offenses including:
- DUI manslaughter
- DUI causing property damage
- DUI causing bodily injury
- DUI with a blood alcohol content of .15 or more
According to police, they responded to a crash at the intersection of State Road 434 and Vistawilla Drive in Winter Springs at around 10 a.m. The suspect was driving a white Toyota and allegedly T-boned a white Honda driven by the victim. A friend of the victim told police that they had just left the park. He was driving behind the victim at the time of the crash and witnessed the event unfold.
Two of the victim’s children were in the backseat at the time of the crash—a 9-month-old girl was in a car seat and a 4-year-old girl was in a booster seat, according to the arrest affidavit. The older daughter sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash. Police say that the victim died at the hospital. Both of the children are expected to make full recoveries.
Understanding the charges
In this case, police charged the suspect with every crime they could possibly pin on her. Given the serious nature of the crash, a sympathetic victim, and a grieving family, that isn’t surprising. The most serious charge that the suspect faces is DUI manslaughter. This charge carries a mandatory minimum of 4 years behind bars, a presumptive sentence of 10 years, and a maximum sentence of 15 years. In order to qualify for the 4-year mandatory minimum, a judge must decide that the victim should be afforded the opportunity to serve a lesser sentence. This can happen when the DUI is a first offense or the victim presents mitigating circumstances to the court.
DUI manslaughter has a recommended sentencing range of 124½ months or about 10.5 years. In some cases, a judge can diverge from the presumptive sentencing range if given a good reason. However, there is still a mandatory minimum sentence of 4 years that must be imposed regardless of the mitigating circumstances presented by the defendant.
In addition to DUI manslaughter, the defendant is facing other charges as well including DUI with property damage (a misdemeanor), and DUI causing injury, as well as aggravated DUI for being several times over the legal limit. This defendant will be going to prison on these charges.
Talk to an Orlando, FL DUI Attorney Today
FL DUI Group represents the interests of Orlando-area residents who have been charged with DUI. Call our FL DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin advocating on your behalf right away.
Source:
fox35orlando.com/news/deadly-winter-springs-dui-crash
