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Tampa Woman Arrested on DUI Charges in Connection with Fatal Wrong-Way Crash in Largo, FL

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matt-chesin-ZI-vWZBbwj8-unsplash-300x200Police in Largo, FL, have announced the arrest of a Tampa woman accused of driving in the wrong lane and crashing head-on into another vehicle, killing one person and injuring three others, including two children.

Britney Lynn Crawford, 27, faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious injury, vehicular homicide, and child neglect. She was booked into jail Sunday and was ordered held on $70,000. She bonded out of jail the following day. Attorney information wasn’t available.

According to the Largo Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. May 3 along U.S. 19. Police received a call about a Nissan Murano speeding south in the northbound lanes of the highway. Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but it crashed head-on into another vehicle.

The front-seat passenger of the vehicle the Murano crashed into was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle’s driver suffered a serious leg injury and was hospitalized, according to police. A 10-year-old child in the back seat was also hospitalized with serious injuries. Police haven’t released the names of the victims.

Crawford was identified as the driver of the Murano. She was found unconscious in the vehicle and was airlifted to an area hospital. She reportedly had a child with her at the time of the crash who was hospitalized for precautionary reasons, police said. Crawford’s relationship with the child was redacted in her arrest report.

Police noted that Crawford smelled of alcohol. They reportedly found two open cans of seltzer in her vehicle. Blood drawn at the hospital revealed that her blood alcohol content was .202, which is more than twice the legal limit for driving in Florida.

More than 5,000 accidents involving alcohol are reported in Florida every year, and at least 350 result in fatalities for at least one person involved. On average, over 29 percent of traffic-related deaths reported in Florida every year are the result of drunk driving. As a consequence, law enforcement agencies are required to use a zero-tolerance standard when punishing individuals who engage in this type of reckless behavior.

DUI manslaughter is a criminal charge brought against a driver accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing or directly contributing to the death of another person. It is a serious offense that, depending on the circumstances of the case, may be prosecuted as a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. It is usually charged as a second-degree felony by default with an array of penalties that include jail time, fines, driver’s license suspension, alcohol abuse courses, and more.

There are many instances where individuals are wrongfully accused of being under the influence at the time of a fatal accident, and they face severe consequences from such a conviction. Given the gravity of a DUI manslaughter charge, it is crucial to hire an experienced defense attorney who can launch an aggressive but tasteful defense that won’t create additional liability for the defendant.

South Florida DUI Attorney

Have you been arrested for DUI manslaughter? Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.

Source: 5.5.20 Woman driving wrong way crashed into car, killing one.pdf

John Nicholas Obrien of Winter Haven, FL, Faces DUI Charges for Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

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adult-alcoholic-arms-174936-300x225Police in Polk County have announced the arrest of a Winter Haven man accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run accident on Saturday while under the influence of a controlled substance.

John Nicholas Obrien, 31, was charged with DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He is being held without bond at Polk County Jail. The press did not name an attorney for him.

According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. April 25 on State Road 540, north of Eagle Lake Road. Obrien was allegedly westbound when his car veered off the road and struck a man riding a scooter on the sidewalk. He then purportedly fled the scene. Witnesses alerted a passing Florida Highway Patrol trooper, who managed to catch up with Obrien a short distance from the crash site.

The person on the scooter, identified as 60-year-old Mathew Bankston Jr. of Mulberry, was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Obrien was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries before he was booked into Polk County Jail. A drug recognition expert at the sheriff’s office determined that he was under the influence of a controlled substance, the affidavit indicates.

When asked by investigators what caused the crash, Obrien initially said he popped a tire and lost control of his vehicle. He then said he hit a pole and lost control of his car, according to the affidavit. Investigators confirmed that his vehicle had a blown out front tire and extensive damage on the front end.

Leaving the scene of an accident—more commonly known as a “hit and run”—is a serious offense in Florida. Statistics indicate that approximately 11 percent of all accidents in the U.S. involve a hit-and-run driver.

Many drivers leave the scene because they are afraid of being arrested, under the influence, or driving without a license. Drivers who flee for whatever reason are required to report the accident to the nearest police station, and provide their name, address, driver’s license, and registration information.

DUI manslaughter is an equally serious offense in the state. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a DUI manslaughter charge may be prosecuted as a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, or a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It is usually treated as a second degree felony by default, but it can be enhanced to a first degree felony if evidence proves the defendant was aware an accident occurred and didn’t render aid.

Given that DUI manslaughter almost always includes at least one grieving family, it is imperative for anyone facing this charge to hire an experienced defense attorney who can launch an aggressive but tasteful defense that won’t create additional liability for the defendant.

South Florida DUI Attorney

Have you been arrested for DUI manslaughter? Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.

Source: 4.29.20 Polk man arrested on hit-and-run, DUI charges in death of man on scooter.pdf

Leslie Joe Zeagler Charged with DUI Manslaughter for Crash in Fort Myers, FL, that Killed Three-Year-Old Child

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adult-beer-bottle-blur-174936-300x225Authorities in Fort Myers have announced the arrest of the driver responsible for a crash that killed a three-year-old girl in February.

Leslie Joe Zeagler, 30, was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, DUI, DUI manslaughter, and driving on a suspended license. She is being held in the Lee County Jail with no bond set. It is unclear if she has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to Fort Myers police, the crash occurred on February 17 on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Rockfill Road. Zeagler was allegedly driving a minivan while under the influence when she blacked out, went off the road, and struck several palm trees in the eastbound lanes of State Road 82.

An unnamed adult female and Zeagler’s three-year-old daughter, Serenity Robinson, were passengers at the time of the crash. The impact caused the child to be ejected from the vehicle. She suffered severe injuries and was rushed to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Zeagler and the other passenger suffered minor injuries. They were transported to an area hospital for treatment and were later released.

Police said Monday that their investigation revealed there was no child vehicle restraint in the minivan, and Serenity was not restrained at the time of the crash. Zeagler was also found to be under the influence of multiple controlled substances, police said. She turned herself in on Monday.

A new release from the Fort Myers Police Department said:

“The senseless death of Serenity is one that certainly could have been avoided. The Fort Myers Police Department reminds motorists not to drive while impaired and certainly not with a restrained or unrestrained child in the car.”

Serenity is the 12th person to die in an auto accident in Lee County this year. Drunk driving is a top cause of fatal car crashes in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 5,125 alcohol-related crashes in 2017, leading to 350 fatalities.

Florida has some of the most stringent and demanding DUI laws in the nation because of all the deaths, particularly of young people, that have occurred as a result of drunk driving. Law enforcement agencies are required to use a zero tolerance standard when enforcing these laws, and as a result, Florida prosecutes an enormous number of DUI cases every year.

DUI manslaughter is one of the most seriously prosecuted cases in court. It is usually prosecuted as a second degree felony by default, but it can be enhanced to a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison depending on the circumstances of the case.

Since a DUI manslaughter charge almost always includes at least one grieving family, it is imperative for anyone facing this charge to immediately consult an experienced attorney who can come up with an aggressive but tasteful defense that won’t create additional liability for the defendant.

South Florida DUI Attorney

Have you or a loved one been arrested for DUI manslaughter? Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.

Source: 4.20.20 Mother arrested for killing daughter in Fort Myers DUI crash.pdf

Uber Driver Clint Fischer of Orlando, FL, Accused of Killing Passenger in DUI Crash

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thermometer-headache-pain-pills-139398-300x200Police in Haines City announced that an Uber driver is facing charges after he allegedly crashed his vehicle while under the influence of meth and marijuana, killing his passenger.

Clint Fischer, 27, of Orange County was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and possession of meth and drug paraphernalia. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to Haines City police, the crash occurred at around midnight on January 8 at U.S. 17-92 and Shamrock Drive. Fischer was driving a rented Toyota sedan when he crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer that was slowing down on the roadway.

Fischer’s passenger, identified as Estevan Pascual of Orlando, sustained blunt force trauma to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. Fischer was rushed to an area hospital for treatment of facial injuries.

When questioned by police about the collision, Fischer reportedly told them that he was an Uber driver and he had picked up Pascual in Orlando and was driving him to a location in Haines City. The driver of the tractor-trailer he struck told police that he was looking for the location to drop off his cargo when his vehicle was rear-ended by Fischer’s Toyota.

An investigation of the crash site reportedly found that Fischer’s vehicle had begun drifting off the road and showed no signs of braking prior to impact. The Toyota continued to move forward after the impact before coming to rest next to the tractor-trailer.

Police searched the Toyota and purportedly found a bag containing a glass pipe containing a powdery residue that tested positive for meth. They obtained a warrant and took a blood sample from Fischer.

The results of the test came back on Tuesday and revealed Fischer was under the influence of a significant amount of methamphetamine and THC (marijuana), the arrest report said. That led to his arrest at his Orlando residence on Thursday night.

“As law enforcement officers, we see the merits of these ride-sharing applications for those who are drinking or without a license,” Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said. “Those using these applications should be able to have the expectation that their drivers be alert, competent and sober behind the wheel. In this case, the driver’s actions cost a man his life.”

DUI manslaughter is one of the most seriously prosecuted cases in court. Depending on the circumstances, a DUI manslaughter charge may be prosecuted as a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, or a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years.

DUI manslaughter is usually treated as a second degree felony by default. Given that the charge will always include at least one grieving family, it is imperative for someone facing a DUI manslaughter charge to hire an experienced attorney who can prepare an aggressive defense in a tasteful manner without creating additional liability for the defendant.

South Florida DUI Attorney

Have you or a loved one been arrested for DUI manslaughter? Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.

Source: 3.7.20 florida uber driver accused of killing passenger in DUI crash.pdf

Seth Lapensohn of Tampa, FL, Arrested in Suspected DUI Crash that Killed Bicyclist

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adult-beer-bottle-blur-174936-300x225Police in Tampa, FL, announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man who allegedly struck and killed a bicyclist on Wednesday night and fled the scene.

Seth Lapensohn faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and a misdemeanor DUI charge. He is being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on $15,500 bond. The press did not name an attorney for him.

According to the arrest report, the accident occurred at approximately 7 p.m. on March 4 on W. Gray Street near N. Gomez Avenue. Lapensohn was reportedly driving a 2016 Jeep Wrangler on the eastbound lane when he struck a bicyclist who was riding on the shoulder.

The victim, whose name hasn’t yet been released, was thrown from his bicycle and suffered severe injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lapensohn kept on driving without stopping to render aid or call 911. He returned to the scene about 50 minutes later and identified himself to officers as the driver involved in the crash, the report states. The damage to his vehicle was purportedly consistent with vehicle parts found at the crash site.

The officers who questioned Lapensohn reported smelling alcohol on his breath. He showed multiple signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes, slurred speech, and body tremors. He performed poorly on field sobriety exercises, according to the report.

A breath test showed his blood-alcohol content level was 0.008, which is less than Florida’s 0.08 limit for impairment. A drug recognition exam also showed he was impaired. The results of a urine test are pending, police said.

Records show Lapensohn is a student at the University of Tampa. The crash occurred about a mile east of his residence on the 400 block of N. Rome Avenue.

Two more DUI arrests were reported in South Florida this week. Police arrested two drivers on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in separate fatal crashes that occured in Orange County last year. Both drivers were arrested on a DUI manslaughter charge.

Raymond Sater, 44, was arrested for his role in a crash that occurred in October on Plymouth Sorrento Road. He was driving a pickup truck when he attempted to pass another vehicle and crashed head-on into a car driven by 25-year-old Parker Anthony, police said. Anthony was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sater’s blood alcohol level was 0.185, which is more than twice the legal limit in Florida. He was booked into Lake County Jail on $10,000 bond. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

The second arrest was of Edgardo Montes Negron, 50, for allegedly causing an accident that killed a motorcyclist in September 2019. Negron was reportedly turning onto Amber Road from Colonial Drive when he drove into the path of 25-year-old Austin McCurry, his arrest report states. McCurry died at the scene of the crash.

A witness allegedly saw Montes throw a drink out of his car after the crash. It is unclear if Montes submitted to breath or urine testing. He was ordered held without bond at the Orange County Jail. Attorney information wasn’t available.

Florida has passed some of the most stringent DUI laws in the country because of all the deaths that have occurred as a result of drunk driving. If you have been arrested on DUI charges in Florida, then you should immediately consult an experienced DUI attorney who can help you build a good defense and avoid a conviction.

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: 5.3.20 Tampa driver arrested in crash that killed bicyclist.pdf & 3.3.20 FHP arrests 2 drivers on DUI charges for 2019 fatal crashes.pdf