The Florida Highway Patrol believes that alcohol impairment and excessive speed were the primary causes of a fatal accident in Hillsborough County during the early morning hours of Oct. 25. A 21-year-old Tampa man has been taken into custody and charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with the crash. The identity of the 20-year-old woman who lost her life in the accident has not been named because Florida voters approved an amendment to the state’s Constitution in 2018 that protects the identities of crime victims.
Pickup truck hit as it turned
The accident took place at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the entrance to Interstate 75. Police say the man’s car was proceeding eastbound on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at a high rate of speed when it struck a westbound pickup truck that was in the process of making a left turn onto Interstate 75.
Placed in custody at area hospital
The man was placed in custody about four hours after the accident at a local hospital. Initial reports did not reveal the nature of his injuries. His female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The car they were traveling in was found on the shoulder. Police say that it spun across the roadway and struck a guardrail after colliding with the pickup truck. Neither of them was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The pickup truck driver suffered no injuries.
Placed in custody at area hospital
Individuals accused of driving while under the influence often face severe charges when lives have been lost in accidents, but prosecutors sometimes take a more lenient approach. Experienced criminal defense attorneys could argue that DUI manslaughter charges should be reduced when police investigations suggest that accidents could have been caused by the negligence of other road users or an obstruction in the roadway.
