Clearwater Woman charged with DUI Manslaughter in Passenger's Death

It Is Not Only The Drivers Life At Stake

Clearwater, Florida – 32-year-old Veronica Herrera of Clearwater was charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with an accident that took place in October last year. A passenger in her car was killed as a result of the accident.

The crash, which took place near the Bayside Bridge, resulted in the partial ejection of the passenger from her car. The passenger died later as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

According to authorities, Herrera was charged with DUI manslaughter Monday.

The incident took place around 3:15 a.m. on 27 October, 2012. Herrera had just exited the Bayside Bridge in the inside southbound lane and was headed south on County Road 611 just north of Roosevelt Boulevard when the accident occurred. According to the Florida Highway Patrol investigators, Herrera failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway, traveling into the median.

She was driving a 2006 Nissan Altima which struck some landscaping in the median before entering the roadway’s northbound lanes. 45-year-old Noi Pinheiro of Bartow was sitting in the right front seat with Herrera without a seatbelt. Due to the force of the impact, she was partially ejected from the car.

The passenger was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where she died three days later on 30 October 2012 as a result of her injuries.

Herrera suffered serious injuries in the crash. She was charged with DUI manslaughter, reckless driving and property damage Monday. The incident is still under investigation.