Florida Officer Under Investigation After Allegedly Releasing Impaired Driver Who Caused Fatal Crash
A mother and son were killed minutes after a traffic stop where the driver admitted to drinking.
The Ocala Police Department is investigating an incident where an officer allegedly allowed an impaired driver to leave, only for that driver to cause a fatal crash minutes later. The crash resulted in the deaths of De Lawn Marshall Duncan, 51, and Eric Derick Maurice McGill, 31.
According to investigators, the driver of the vehicle that caused the crash, who has not been publicly identified by name but is described as 51-year-old, was pulled over by an Ocala police officer on September 29. Body-camera footage captured the interaction, during which the officer questioned the brothers, who were in the minivan together.
When asked if they had been drinking, the driver stated, "I will automatically admit that." He also mentioned it was his birthday and his brother had consumed "a little bit more than he was supposed to drink." The driver then asked the officer if he could take his brother home.
The officer reportedly responded, "Y'all are good to go; y'all can get on out." He allowed the brothers to drive away.
Police Chief Mike Balken stated in a press conference that "There are indications, unfortunately, that both had been drinking earlier in the night and may have been impaired." Balken added, "Unfortunately, and really for reasons I can't fully yet explain, the officers failed to investigate a possible DUI or even question the driver's level of intoxication." He continued, "Instead, the brothers were allowed to drive away, and within minutes their vehicle struck and killed our victims."
The Ocala Police Department has initiated an investigation into the stop, which is expected to last approximately four weeks. The officer involved in the initial encounter, who was reportedly in his first 30 days of training, has been placed on paid administrative leave.
No criminal charges have been filed as of now. Chief Balken indicated that he has discussed potential charges against the officer with the State Attorney's Office for failing to perform his duties. He also met with the victims' families.
"We owe it to the families involved and this community to address these failures head-on and ensure mistakes like this never, ever happen again. To the families that have lost their loved ones, I am profoundly sorry," Balken said. "I only wish we had done more to prevent this tragedy."
The driver involved in the crash is in critical condition and receiving medical treatment. His younger brother, a passenger in the vehicle, sustained minor injuries. The victims' families have established a GoFundMe page to help with expenses during this difficult time.