Florida has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the nation. A first time DUI comes with the penalties of a fine that is not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. If a person’s blood-alcohol level is more than 0.15, the fine is increased to $1,000 to $2,000. Imprisonment can range from 8 hours to 6 months. In addition to these penalties, a person may have to perform 50 hours of community service, probation for up to one year, and driver’s license being revoked for six months to one year.
My Sun Coast reports on a drunk man who stopped in the middle of the interstate, leading to an accident that killed a Florida woman.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a man who was suspected of being under the influence stopped his vehicle on Interstate 75 Southbound.
The accident happened on Sunday, April 14th at around 2 a.m. This is when 26-year-old Nicalos Simpson was driving a 2016 Chrysler 200. He stopped his vehicle in the middle of the lane near the Clark Road exit.
30-year-old Christopher Marquez, who was driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra was unable to see Simpson in the middle lane. He was unable to stop in time, slamming into the back of Simpson’s vehicle. Christopher Marquez was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. His passenger, 63-year-old Petruska Marquez, was pronounced dead at Doctor’s Hospital.
Simpson is facing numerous charges, including DUI manslaughter, DUI serious bodily injury, DUI property damage, and disabled vehicle blocking traffic. He did not suffer any injuries in the accident.