A family of four was killed in St. Petersburg Sunday, August 1, after an allegedly intoxicated driver sped through a red light and into their vehicle. The driver has now been taken into custody. Demetrius Jordan, 20, will be charged with four counts of DUI manslaughter and with injuring his passenger. He is also charged with underage drinking.
The Florida Highway Patrol interviewed witnesses who said that Jordan was traveling at a high rate of speed just before 1:00 a.m. when he ran a red light and his 2001 Chevrolet Impala hit the 2010 Ford Fusion being driven by Elroy McConnell, 51. Also in the Ford were McConnell’s three sons, 19-year-old Kelly McConnell, 24-year-old Nathan, and 28-year-old Elroy McConnell III, from Orlando, Miami and New Orleans. The family was vacationing in St. Petersburg and returning home from a movie. All were killed at the scene in this Florida drunk driving accident while Jordan and his passenger suffered serious injuries, according to News 4 Jax.
Suncoast Pinellas TBO.com reports that the oldest McConnell son had a small child of his own. His wife and son had joined the Pinellas County gathering.
Our sincerest condolences go out to the McConnell family and friends. The loss of this close family is almost indescribable.
Records show that Jordan was supposed to lose his license last week for failing to pay a fine after running a stop sign on June 30. WFTV finds that Jordan had seven traffic citations, with three in June alone, but was never arrested. He is being held on $90,250 bail, reports TBO.com. St. Petersburg police report Jordan admitted he had been drinking hard alcohol, a caffeinated beverage called Four Loko, and smoking marijuana before the crash. Police reported he slurred his words and had bloodshot eyes.
TBO.com reports Jordan may have been going at least 80 mph on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street at 22nd Avenue North, at an intersection where the speed limit is 35 mph.
Experts who reconstruct the accident site can determine the approximate speed each vehicle is traveling depending on the degree of crumpled metal on the cars and skid marks. If you need to prove your case with the help of an accident reconstructionist, an experienced Florida wrongful death accident attorney can be your best ally in investigating your case.
