Driver charged with DUI manslaughter in death of passenger

[File photo by Bruce Ackerman]

A 28-year-old Belleview woman was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter after an early morning crash on Saturday in southeast Marion County claimed the life of a 26-year-old Ocala man who was a passenger in the vehicle she was driving, the Florida Highway Patrol has reported.

The Aug. 16 crash occurred around 2:35 a.m. as the driver traveled south in a sedan on State Road 35 (Baseline Road) just south of Southeast 102nd Place Road, according to an FHP press release.

“The driver failed to safely negotiate a curve towards the right. The sedan exited the roadway and entered the west grass shoulder while rotating. The sedan struck a wooden fence at the first collision and then struck a large tree at the second collision,” the press release stated.

The “unrestrained passenger,” who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at HCA Hospital in Ocala, according to the press release.

The driver, who was wearing a seat belt and had minor injuries, was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter.