81-Year-Old Charged with DUI Manslaughter in Pasco County

Albert Friedman, an 81-year-old Hudson man, was arrested last week in connection with an August 5th crash in Pasco County. Two people were killed in the crash, which occured on US Highway 19. Friedman has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, and one count of DUI property damage.

According to the Florida State Highway Patrol, Friedman was northbound on US Highway 19 in a 2013 Volkswagen in the center lane passing other traffic. Friedman swerved to the right and into the rear of a 1999 Saturn driven by Bridgette Ewing of Spring Hill in the outside lane.

Both vehicles spun, overturned and struck a light pole. Ewing and her passenger, Vincent P. Dicristo of Port Richey, died at the scene.

Friedman was taken to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. An investigation determined Friedman’s blood alcohol content was 0.227, according to the patrol report. This is nearly three times the level at which Florida law presumes a driver is impaired – 0.08 BAC.

If convicted of DUI manslaughter, Friedman will face up to 15 years in a Florida State correctional institution, in addition to a fine of up to $10,000, on each count. If convicted of more than one count, the sentences can run concurrent to one another (i.e., run at the same time) or consecutively to each other (i.e., one sentence following the completion of the first).

If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges in the Tampa Bay area, you are well-advised to contact an experienced DUI defense attorney to help you navigate the criminal and administrative implications of a DUI charge and/or conviction.