State Attorney: Driver in high-speed crash on Cocoa exit ramp indicted for murder
A 41-year-old driver who flashed an obscene gesture at troopers during a high-speed interstate chase before slamming into a parked tow truck on a Cocoa off-ramp, killing his three passengers, has been indicted by the Brevard grand jury.
The Brevard state attorney's office announced April 17 that Vernon James Hodges of Sebastian was formally charged on 17 counts, including three counts of first-degree felony murder; aggravated fleeing to elude, causing death; three counts each of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and driving without a license or while license suspended or revoked, causing death; DUI with serious bodily injury; and driving under the influence and causing damage.
The deadly crash happened at 8:30 a.m. March 28. Hodges was arrested and jailed April 3.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said Hodges was driving a 2015 Mercedes-Benz northbound on Interstate 95 when they spotted the vehicle going over 100 mph and initiated a pursuit. Troopers said Hodges, as he exited at State Road 520, waved out the window and made an obscene hand gesture moments before the Mercedes plowed into a tow truck parked on the shoulder.
Records show the Mercedes slammed into the back of a flatbed tow truck, shredding the car, and spun across the roadway. Hodges climbed out of the crushed vehicle with a laceration to his arm while his passengers — Alicia M. Carter, 31, of Melbourne, Eleasya J. Fulton, 24, of Palm Bay, and Leon Holmes, 41, of Vero Beach — were killed on impact.
Tow truck driver John Youmara, 39, of Palm Bay, was also seriously injured and is recovering. He was working under the rear axle of the truck, preparing it to be towed, and became trapped beneath the wreckage.
Hodges was hospitalized at Holmes Regional Medical Center and later arrested. He remains held without bond at the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Driver in Cocoa exit ramp crash that killed 3 indicted for murder
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