According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 16-year-old girl was killed in a head-on collision, and a man has been charged with DUI manslaughter.
Thomas Raulerson, 44, was operating a Ford F350 in a construction zone at approximately 4 p.m. on May 22 when it veered north in the southbound lane on U.S.-98.
An SUV was being followed by a second car, a Honda Civic, which was moving south in the southbound lane.
Approaching the car in the incorrect direction, the SUV’s driver braked and veered to the right, slamming into a construction barrel on the side of the road.
The Ford F350 struck the 16-year-old girl driving the Honda Civic head-on when she braked as the SUV veered off the road. On the spot, she was declared dead.
Raulerson had a blood alcohol content of.445, more than five times the legal limit. After being taken to a nearby hospital with severe injuries, he was taken into custody and charged on May 30.
He was accused of two charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage.
