BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A man was arrested on DUI manslaughter charges in a wrong-way crash that closed State Road 520 early Tuesday in Brevard County, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The fatal wreck was reported on State Road 520 near Tropical Trail on Merritt Island.
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Troopers said Damian Dobrosielski, 35, was driving a 2008 Land Rover in the wrong direction in the westbound lanes. A 2010 Toyota Prius tried to swerve out of the way of Dobrosielski’s Land Rover, but the vehicles collided, according to a news release.
Investigators said the Prius then slammed into the concrete divider. The driver of the Prius — a 35-year-old man from Cape Canaveral — was taken to a hospital where he later died, troopers said.
According to the arrest affidavit, a deputy at the scene said he could smell “the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Dobrosielski.”
Deputies said Dobrosielski told them he was returning to Merritt Island, though he “spoke with slurred speech, had an orbital sway while standing (and) had glassy, watery eyes.” Reports show Dobrosielski refused to take a breath test to determine his blood alcohol content.
Dobrosielski was arrested on charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
S.R. 520 was closed in the area, but the roadway was reopened before 7 a.m.