OCALA, Fla. – A 17-year-old faces DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges related to a fiery crash that killed a husband and wife in February, according to Ocala police.
Police said they responded to the crash around 8:23 p.m., on Feb. 20 near the 1500 block of Southeast 36th Avenue.
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According to a news release, when officers arrived, the couple’s Mazda Miata was engulfed in flames. The man was ejected from the vehicle while the woman was trapped inside. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
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Police said the driver of the Mercedes-Benz SUV — later identified as 17-year-old Frank Scudder IV — was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to the release, investigators found that “Scudder was driving over 120 mph moments before the crash with no evidence of braking.”
Police said a blood test showed Scudder’s blood alcohol level was .188 at the time of the crash, more than double the legal limit.
Ocala police said on Tuesday that Scudder was arrested and faces two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of vehicular manslaughter, and three counts of DUI property damage.
“DUI-related crashes have severe consequences on our community. We take these cases seriously and are committed to bringing justice to the victims and their loved ones,” Ocala police said in a statement.
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