Clay Today staff
ORANGE PARK -- Vehicular manslaughter charges have been filed against an Orange Park man accused of causing an October car crash that killed a passenger in his vehicle.
Rocky Dustin Gomez, 31, was arrested Jan. 27 and charged with DUI manslaughter in the Oct. 18 crash that killed Charlee Anderson, 25, when his two-door Honda spun out of control on County Road 220, according to a Clay County arrest affidavit filed by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Gomez’ westbound car was traveling at least 78 mph in a 45-mph zone when he lost control near Paradise Mooring Boulevard shortly before midnight, the affidavit says. The car rotated counter-clockwise, went across the median and into the path of an eastbound four-door Chevy driven by Derek Mayo, 31, of Green Cove Springs.
The Chevy's left front struck the right rear of Gomez' car, which then spun 180 degrees while Mayo's car, which had slowed to 27 mph before impact, was pushed backward in the crash, the affidavit says. Both vehicles then came to rest blocking the eastbound lanes.
The crash critically injured Gomez, who had a blood-alcohol level of .15, the affidavit says. The legal limit to operate a motor vehicle in Florida is .08.
Mayo suffered minor injuries in the crash, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Gomez is being held on $250,000 bond, the report says.
February 8th 2010 - 2:13PM