Woman faces DUI manslaughter charges in Florida
A 22-year-old woman who killed two pedestrians in a Car Accident last month in Broward County, Florida has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter, as well as four other charges. She surrendered to police on July 3 after a warrant was issued for her arrest when the results of a toxicology report showed her blood alcohol level was more than two times the legal limit.
The woman was driving her 2012 Porsche Panamera on West Broward Boulevard just after 2:00 a.m., when she lost control while trying to make a left turn. The vehicle crashed through a hedge and into a parking lot, striking two pedestrians.
A 30-year-old man and a 35-year old man were killed, with one dying at the accident scene and another dying at a local hospital. Neither the driver nor the two passengers in the Porsche were injured.
The woman posted a bond, but when she appeared in front of the Broward County Circuit judge, he increased the bond to $450,000. The prosecutor requested the higher bond after learning from the defendant’s coworkers that she planned on fleeing the country and going to Ireland. She has dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the U.S. In the days after the crash, prosecutors say she paid for a British passport.
The judge said the woman must surrender her passports and wear a GPS monitor before she is released. He also said the prosecutor’s case and her access to family money made her a flight risk. Her attorney disagreed, saying that she was not attempting to flee the country, but was only in the planning stages of a pre-arranged vacation.
Even if the woman is not convicted of the criminal charges, the families of the men who died may have a civil claim for wrongful death, funeral expenses, loss of consortium and other damages. A personal injury attorney would be able to explain all of the options in such a case and how the family could receive financial compensation for the loss of their loved ones.
Source: nbcmiami.com – Brian Hamacher and Justin Finch, July 4, 2013