[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/20/19]
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LEESBURG, Florida – A 22-year-old man is facing a DUI manslaughter charge after he killed a Grand Island woman Saturday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Ricardo Galvan-Ojeda of Eustis was driving a 2016 Chevy Silverado on Emeralda Island Road around 8:35 p.m. and ran the stop sign at CR 452, according to an FHP press release. This is the second crash at that intersection in less than a week. He struck the right front of a southbound 2017 Toyota Tacoma being driven by William Hodges, 57, of Grand Island. Hodges was taken to Central Florida Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. His passenger, Denise Hodges, 54, of Grand Island was killed and pronounced dead on the scene.
Troopers questioned Galvan-Ojeda and he, “seemed very confused and looking downwards toward the ground,” an arrest report states. He smelled of alcohol and mumbled as he spoke to a trooper. He said he was going to a friend’s house and following his GPS, but was unable to tell the trooper what road he was on, or his direction of travel. He voluntarily gave troopers a blood sample and was arrested for DUI manslaughter around 10:45 p.m.
Galvan-Ojeda was transported to AdventHealth-Waterman for medical clearance where medical personnel found several fractures and other injuries consistent with a crash, according to the arrest report. He was classified as a trauma patient and transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
A Lake County detention deputy will be placed with Galvan-Ojeda until he is medically released and taken to the Lake County Jail, where he will be held on no bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
