Authorities in Putnam County, FL, have announced the arrest of a woman accused of causing a DUI crash almost 10 months ago that killed a 75-year-old man and injured four others.
Savannah Serrano, 30, was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI resulting in serious bodily injury, and DUI resulting in property damage. She was also charged with marijuana possession after marijuana was purportedly found in her vehicle. Serrano is being held at Putnam County Jail on $100,000 bond. The press did not name an attorney for her.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the alleged DUI crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on April 27, 2019, on County Road 315, near Interlachen High School. Serrano was allegedly drunk when she crashed her vehicle into a pickup truck.
A man who was in the pickup truck, identified as 75-year-old Forrest Boram, was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. He died a month later because of his injuries.
A passenger in Serrano’s car, identified as 38-year-old Bethsaida Malea, was also critically injured. She reportedly suffered a brain injury and was in a coma for several days, but she is now in recovery.
The names of the other people injured in the crash were not disclosed.
A warrant for Serrano’s arrest on DUI charges was issued on Friday, nearly 10 months after the crash occurred. It is unclear why it took law enforcement so long to issue the warrant. Serrano was located by police at her home and was quickly taken into custody.
DUI cases of this kind aren’t uncommon in South Florida. Another DUI arrest was reported in Polk County just yesterday. A 35-year-old woman was arrested on DUI charges for allegedly causing a crash that fractured both legs of a two-year-old child, records show.
Laura Lynn Jackson was arrested for DUI, DUI causing serious bodily injury, and negligent child abuse. She booked into Polk County Jail. Attorney information wasn’t available.
According to police documents, the crash occurred on the night of February 22 on Combee Road North in Lakeland. Jackson was reportedly driving drunk with an unsecured two-year-old passenger when she got in an accident.
The child fractured both legs and suffered facial lacerations. It is unclear if Jackson was also injured in the crash, but they were both taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment.
When Jackson was discharged, a deputy purportedly noticed her staggering and struggling to sit on the benches outside the hospital. The officer reported that Jackson’s speech was slurred, and he noticed a strong smell of alcohol on her breath.
Jackson purportedly refused to perform field sobriety exercises. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and was forced to perform the sobriety test at the Polk County booking station. Reports indicate that she failed the test and was arrested on DUI charges.
South Florida DUI Attorney
Have you been arrested for a DUI? Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.
Sources: 2.24.20 woman arrested in DUI crash that left one dead, four injured.pdf & 2.24.20 woman charged with DUI in crash that fractured two-year-old’s legs.pdf