In Florida, DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony. It is assigned a level 8 offense severity ranking under the state’s Criminal Punishment Code, which determines penalties. If convicted of DUI manslaughter the person faces serious penalties. These penalties include a lifetime revocation of driver’s license, impoundment of the vehicle, up to $10,000 in fines, up to fifteen years of probation, and up to fifteen years in prison. Recently, the state legislature voted to extend a minimum sentence for the crime of DUI manslaughter. The minimum sentence in Florida, if convicted, is four years in prison. In addition, the person may be assigned community service and a mandatory evaluation and drug or alcohol dependence treatment.
News 4 Jax reports that an arrest has been made in a fatal Jacksonville Beach hit-and-run.
Just before midnight on July 11, Joshua Lovingood was speeding at twice the posted speed limit down 2nd Street North in Jacksonville. He hit two pedestrians who were walking south on 2nd Street North near 7th Avenue North.
Lovingood continued traveling south on 2nd Street North until he hit a stop sign and a palm tree. The vehicle then flipped over.
22-year-old Bryn Turner, one of the pedestrians, was pronounced dead at the scene. His companion, Julio Gomez, was seriously injured. He is still recovering from the accident.
Lovingood consented to a blood draw at the scene. The results showed that Lovingood’s BAC was .228%. He was also driving on a suspended license from a previous DUI.
Lovingood is being extradited back to Florida from Ohio to face charges of DUI manslaughter, driving under the influence with damage, driving under the influence with injury, and driving while license suspended or revoked.
Police say that they have been in contact with Lovingood while he has been out of state and he has been cooperative in the investigation.
