Jason Ruff of Hollywood, Florida faces a DUI negligent manslaughter charge for the death of Jason McAnally in March last year. After investigators filed the charges on February 6, Ruff, 39, surrendered to police and was released immediately after he posted a $25,000 bond.

According to the arrest report, the crash occurred at Sheridan Street and North 25th Avenue on the night of March 21 last year. McAnally, 33, was reportedly riding his Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle at 58 mph in a 40 mph zone heading east on Sheridan. Ruff was driving west in a Chevrolet Avalanche and when he attempted to turn left at North 25th Avenue, he failed to yield the right of way and crashed into McAnally.

While McAnally’s speed may have factored in the crash, a traffic officer said his “speed was not so excessive” and that he shouldn’t have been difficult for Ruff to observe. His speed is considered a “secondary factor” in the crash.

The primary factor is Ruff’s blood alcohol level. Police said it was more than twice the legal limit in the state of Florida. Ruff was also driving without a valid license and had reportedly received 18 separate traffic citations since 2005. His license has been suspended nine different times over the past decade.

According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), DUI accidents cause three times more deaths than texting while driving. DMV records show that Florida had 33,625 DUI convictions in 2011, 985 of which occurred in Broward County.

A driver involved in a crash with a blood alcohol concentration that’s above 0.08% can be held liable for the costs of injuries that result from the accident. If there’s a fatality, the driver can be held liable in a wrongful death suit in addition to probation, fines, and other penalties.

Source: 2.7.17 Ruff DUI Manslaughter.pdf