A repeat drunk driver with a suspended license killed a father and son heading to a Florida college orientation over the weekend — leading to her third DUI bust in 10 years, according to reports.
Leslie Gehmert, 40, is now facing homicide raps after blowing through a red light and slamming into a car carrying Coloradans Shane Lloyd, 50, and his son Jakob Lloyd, 19, on Sunday afternoon.
Police said the victims were making a legal turn in Orlando when Gehmert, who was sued just last year in connection with another crash, careened directly into them after entering an intersection at a high rate of speed.
The Lloyds’ vehicle rolled over several times and ended up on its roof, according to Fox 35.
“My brother was my hero, so for this to be like a double whammy for our family, it’s hard to take all this in,” Shane’s sister, Shannon Brown, told the station. “They were just down there to get him ready to start. To start his life and his career.”
Shane Lloyd was pronounced dead at the scene while Jakob — who was slated to study forensic chemistry — passed away at a local hospital due to severe trauma.
Gehmert suffered minor injuries.
The father and son were preparing to return to Colorado after a visit to the University of Central Florida, where Jakob was planning to begin classes in the Fall.
Cops said Gehmert, who had her license pulled after a March DUI bust, reeked of booze at the scene of the accident and refused to submit to a blood alcohol test.
A witness told Fox 35 that Gehmert remained in her car immediately after the collision.
“She was in complete shock. She was sitting in the car with her hands on the wheel just kind of looking side to side,” Chase Woodburn said.
Gehmert was hit with two vehicular homicide charges, one charge of driving with a suspended license with death, one further charge of DUI and two counts of DUI manslaughter.
Her bail was set at $700,000 and she remains behind bars.
Gehmert was hit with two vehicular homicide charges, one charge of driving with a suspended license with death, one further charge of DUI and two counts of DUI manslaughter.
Gehmert, previously of New Rochelle, New York, was sued for damages last July for a separate wreck that left Alexander Chapman with a “permanent injury,” according to court papers.
She “made an improper turn, failed to maintain her lane, crossed into the Plaintiff’s lane of travel and crashed into the front of the Plaintiff’s vehicle,” the complaint states.
Brown said her father was an electrical engineer and her brother had dreams of becoming an attorney.
“He had an interest in forensics, he wanted to be a lawyer,” she said. “He was really going to make a difference, but that’s gone now.”