Dad driving three times over DUI limit kills his 5-year-old in crash, Florida cops say
A dad accused of drunk driving crashed his car into a tree, killing his 5-year-old daughter and injuring his 3-year-old son as the vehicle caught fire, Florida authorities said.
Toxicology results have now revealed his blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit, and he’s been charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury and two counts of negligent child abuse, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced Dec. 31.
McClatchy News is not identifying the dad to protect the identity of his son.
The 30-year-old man picked up his son and daughter from their grandfather’s home on Nov. 7 and was driving home in his Kia when he missed a turn and ran a stop sign in Lakeland, deputies said.
He crashed into a tree and the car went up in flames, killing his 5-year-old and burning his 3-year-old’s face, according to deputies. He tried to get his son out, according to a copy of the affidavit, but he fell to the ground and a bystander stepped in to help.
Due to the dad’s injuries, he couldn’t perform certain field sobriety tests, but a deputy suspected he was impaired and a warrant was issued for a blood sample that same day, deputies said.
It came back Dec. 26 showing his blood alcohol content was .25 grams/dL, while the legal limit is .08.
Lakeland is about a 35-mile drive east from Tampa.
What to know about impaired driving
In 2020, nearly 12,000 people were killed in car crashes that involved drunk drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 30 people die each day in crashes where a driver is believed to be drunk, the CDC reported.
“Safe driving requires focus, coordination, good judgment, and quick reactions to the environment,” the CDC said. “Any alcohol or other drug use impairs the ability to drive safely.”
A person’s blood alcohol concentration can be measured, and the legal limit for driving in most states is 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter. Experts, however, say even lower levels of alcohol concentration can cause impairment.
The CDC says everyone can help prevent drunk driving with these steps:
Don’t let friends drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Don’t ride with an impaired driver.
If you’re hosting a party, remind guests to plan ahead.
Arrange alternative transportation or have a designated driver.
This story was originally published December 31, 2024 at 2:23 PM with the headline "Dad driving three times over DUI limit kills his 5-year-old in crash, Florida cops say."