An Ocala teenager faces DUI charges in a fiery crash that killed a husband and wife

OCALA, Florida. – A 17-year-old is facing DUI manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with a fiery crash that killed a husband and wife in February, according to Ocala police.

Police said they responded to the crash around 8:23 p.m. on Feb. 20 near the 1500 block of Southeast 36th Avenue.

According to a press release, when officers arrived, the couple’s Mazda Miata was on fire. The man was thrown from the vehicle and the woman was trapped inside. Both people were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Police said the driver of the Mercedes-Benz SUV – later identified as 17-year-old Frank Scudder IV – was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

According to the release, investigators determined that “moments before the accident, Scudder was traveling at a speed of over 200 km/h and had no signs of braking.”

Police said a blood test showed Scudder’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was 0.188, more than twice the legal limit.

Ocala police said Tuesday that Scudder was arrested and charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of vehicular manslaughter and three counts of DUI property damage.

“DUI accidents have serious consequences for our community. We take these cases seriously and are committed to bringing justice to the victims and their loved ones,” Ocala police said in a statement.

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