DUI Manslaughter Charges Filed in Fort Lauderdale after Death of Miami Heat Dancer

A 43-year-old man is facing charges of DUI manslaughter in Fort Lauderdale after being charged in the wake of a Sept. 10 accident that claimed the life of a dancer for the Miami Heat.
The Miami Herald reports the East Sunrise Boulevard crash occurred when the defendant’s Mercedes struck the 22-year-old victim’s motorcycle.

Our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyers urge anyone who has been charged with drunk driving in Broward or Palm Beach counties to consult with an experienced attorney. But never is it more critical than in the wake of a serious or fatal accident.

Under Florida drunk driving law, DUI manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The Sun-Sentinel reported his blood-alcohol level tested .24 and .23, about three times the legal limit of .08 for drunk driving in Florida.

The Broward New Times reported Miami-Dade County is the deadliest county in Florida when it comes to drunk driving accidents, with an average of about 80 deaths a year. Broward County is second-deadliest, with an average of 70 people killed in drunk driving accidents each year. In each case, a defense lawyer should thoroughly review the accident scene and determine whether outside experts may come to a different conclusion about the cause of the crash.

If a defendant can be show to have not been responsible for a crash, he cannot be convicted of DUI manslaughter under Florida law.

If you are facing drunk driving charges in Broward or Palm Beach counties, contact the Law Offices of Leifert & Leifert, a Partnership of Former Prosecutors, for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1.888.5.DEFEND.