Florida law prescribes the circumstances in which a charge of DUI with serious bodily injury may be charged. First, the driver must have been in actual physical control of the vehicle. While in control of the vehicle, the driver must have been intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Finally, a person suffered a serious bodily injury. According to Florida law, a serious bodily injury can include disfigurement, the protracted loss or impairment of a bodily organ, and death. If convicted, this third-degree felony charge carries a penalty of up to five years in a Florida state prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Florida Today reports that a man has been arrested for DUI manslaughter and other charges in connection with an alleged DUI crash that occurred on New Year’s Day.
24-year-old Shawn Coombes was arrested on Wednesday, May 20th on a variety of charges stemming from a fatal January crash on Interstate 95 in Pinellas County.
Allegedly, Coombes was recklessly driving a 2016 Nissan sedan at speeds of 111 m.p.h. when the accident occurred. He first struck a semi-trailer and then struck a light pole. His passenger, 20-year-old Irene Gonzalez, succumbed to her injuries on January 20th.
A second female passenger suffered from a broken back.
Coombes is facing a number of charges including DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI serious bodily injury, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, DUI with property damage, and driving on a suspended license.
He is being held without bail at the Brevard County Jail Complex.
