On May 21, 2011, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) arrested Pedro Terrero Leyva for Florida Driving Under the Influence (DUI) causing serious bodily injury, careless driving, and having an open container. Leyva has been accused of hitting an off-duty Florida Deputy, Gary Lee Edwards, and causing a crash that seriously injured Edwards. He was taken to Shands hospital. Since Leyva was charged with Floirda DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury, he was facing the penalties of a third-degree felony which is punishable by up to five years in prison (See Suwannee Co. Deputy Hurt in Crash).
However, Leyva will face a larger Florida sentencing range. Edwards died at Shands hospital (See FHP: Deputy Hit By DUI Driver Dies). The State Attorney’s Office will likely charge him with Florida DUI Manslaughter, a second-degree felony. In Florida, a second-degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
If you have been charged with DUI in Jacksonville, Florida or the surrounding counties, contact a Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer, to discuss your case and to make sure your rights are being protected.