Latest news with #vehicularhomicide
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Cape Coral man arrested year after fatal crash on DUI, vehicular homicide charges
A Cape Coral elder faces charges nearly a year after a Bradenton woman died in a Fort Myers crash while he was driving drunk and with a revoked license, authorities say. Larry Farmer, 86, faces one count of DUI manslaughter, one count of vehicular homicide, one count of driving while his license was revoked causing death and two counts of DUI causing property damage. According to troopers, on Sept. 29, 2024, Farmer's 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling south within the northbound lanes on Interstate 75, near mile marker 139, in Fort Myers. Declared incompetent for trial: Yanko Romero, facing possible death penalty in random slaying, remanded to hospital As Farmer continued to drive south, a 2021 Ford Bronco, driven by a 56-year-old Bradenton woman, was traveling north on I-75. Troopers said both drivers swerved their vehicles toward the west paved shoulder to avoid collision crashing head-on. Both cars sustained extensive front-end damage, troopers said. Both suffered serious injuries and were taken to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers. The female driver, whose identity authorities have not released, died at the hospital. Authorities did not clarify by publication why his license was revoked. Farmer was arrested the afternoon of July 29 for the fatal crash and released within five hours on $37,000 bond. His arraignment is Sept. 2. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@ or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral man arrested after fatal DUI crash
CBS News
22-07-2025
- CBS News
Driver in deadly Chinatown crash arraigned on murder charges
The driver accused of hitting and killing a cyclist and pedestrian in Chinatown on over the weekend faced arraignment Tuesday. Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, 23, faces a host of charges, including murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property, and leaving the scene. Romero was denied bail and will remain jailed. A grand jury will convene Thursday. Police say Romero was behind the wheel of a blue Chevrolet Malibu on Saturday at around 7:30 a.m. when it drove over the Manhattan Bridge at a high rate of speed and struck cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank, 55, and May Kwok, 63. Both were killed. The car also hit an empty NYPD van, and then flipped onto its passenger side before coming to rest back upright near Canal Street and Bowery, according to authorities. Prosecutors claim the passenger in the Malibu, Kennedy LeCraft, and Romero climbed out of the car, bloody. The two then allegedly tried to leave the scene, heading north on Broadway, but were arrested. Police say they recovered an open bottle of tequila in the passenger seat, and two 9mm pistols and ammo from the trunk of the car. Police say the Malibu was a rental that was supposed to be returned June 29, but wasn't. LeCraft, 22, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and unauthorized use of a stolen vehicle.
CBS News
22-07-2025
- CBS News
Michael Vahey sentenced to 6-20 years in prison in death of CHOP Dr. Barbara Friedes
A Philadelphia man was sentenced to 6-20 years in prison Tuesday after admitting to driving under the influence in the crash that killed CHOP Dr. Barbara Friedes last year. Michael Vahey, 69, pleaded guilty to charges of vehicular homicide, third-degree murder, driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter, among other charges, his court docket shows. Police said the 30-year-old Friedes was on her bike in the bike lane on Spruce Street near 18th when Vahey, behind the wheel of a Volkswagen, struck her the evening of July 17, 2024. According to the DA's office, Vahey was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and had a BAC of nearly 0.16. The legal limit is 0.08. He was also reportedly traveling over 50 mph, double the speed limit in the area. Friedes suffered "severe head trauma," police said after the accident, and was taken to Jefferson University Hospital, where she died a short time later. According to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Friedes was the first cyclist death reported in the city in 2024. Friedes' death spurred advocacy for better protections for cyclists in the city. Organizations, including the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said Spruce Street is a popular biking corridor that needs concrete barriers to protect cyclists. According to her obituary, Friedes was born at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming and moved around with her father's Air Force career. After she graduated from Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Colorado, Friedes attended Florida State University, where she was on the FSU Golden Girls dance team, and later attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Friedes joined Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2021 as a pediatric resident and later became chief resident. She met her husband, Dr. Cole Friedes, when they were FSU undergraduates. "I'd like for her to be remembered as a kind, compassionate and brilliant wife, daughter, sister, friend and physician who dedicated her life to serving others and who was a magnetic and inspiring light," Cole Friedes told the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2024. "We were lucky to be loved by her." This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- CBS News
Colorado family pushes for justice after Thornton man allegedly killed by teen DUI driver
It's been nearly four months since a father of eight in Colorado was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver. His loved ones say they want accountability for his death. Thornton resident Derrick DeLeon is trying to find comfort in the little moments following the death of his best friend,35-year-old Christian Santamaria. "I come here once a week," said DeLeon, speaking with CBS Colorado at the cemetery where Santamaria is buried. "I feel like it's my safe haven." Santamaria was hit and killed while crossing the intersection at 120th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard on March 20, just after 11 p.m. He was driving his car home when another vehicle crashed into his passenger side door as he was turning southbound at the intersection. "Knowing that he's not going to be able to walk his daughter down the aisle, knowing that he's not going to be able to be the best man at my wedding," said DeLeon. "My biggest thing is to honor him in the ways that I can. It kinda helps keep me sane." "He was hilarious. He was a good guy. He was always cracking jokes. He was our biggest cheerleader," said Audrianna Bonney, another one of Santamaria's best friends, whom she considered like a brother. 18-year-old David Mendez Reyes is now facing multiple charges for vehicular homicide in Santamaria's death, including reckless driving and driving under the influence. A preliminary hearing set for this week, July 17, was continued to August. "He really took a big piece when he took Christian," said Bonney. Family says it was frustrating to learn the suspect was driving with nearly twice the legal limit of alcohol and other narcotics in his system. According to an arrest affidavit, when officers arrived on the scene, Mendez-Reyes was naked and acting erratically as he reached for the driver's window of one of the vehicles that was found on fire at the scene. "I think that's one of the main reasons why he should be held accountable and not be out here walking around like he is," said Bonney. While they wait for the next steps in this case, Santamaria's family is urging others to take more responsibility when they get behind the wheel. "Underage, under the influence, it's unfortunate," said DeLeon. "It's unfortunate we have individuals that just really take life for granted in that way because you're putting not just yourself in danger. [That] could've been anybody."
CBS News
17-07-2025
- CBS News
Attorneys for driver accused of killing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau want some evidence thrown out, docs say
Attorneys for Sean Higgins, the driver accused of hitting and killing former NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, want some evidence thrown out. According to court documents, defense attorneys for Higgins said that investigators got data from his Jeep's airbag control module. But they failed to obtain a "communications data warrant" until after the fact, defense attorneys claim. Last month, defense attorneys also asked the judge to toss the roadside statement that Higgins allegedly gave to police after the crash. Prosecutors have until July 21 to file a response. In April, a judge upheld charges against Higgins and rejected his attorney's argument that the Gaudreau brothers' drinking contributed to their deaths. "There's no credence in the argument there was contributory negligence on the part of the cyclists," Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio said earlier this year. The Gaudreaus were bicycling near their hometown on County Road 551 and Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township on the eve of their sister's wedding on Aug. 29, 2024, when they were struck and killed allegedly by Higgins. Johnny Gaudreau, known as "Johnny Hockey," was set to start his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after eight seasons with the Calgary Flames. Matthew Gaudreau played hockey at Boston College, like his older brother, and was working as a high school coach. Higgins, 44, of nearby Woodstown, New Jersey, is charged with two counts each of reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, along with evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident.
