News: Passenger dead, driver arrested after vehicle crashes in Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – A driver is facing charges after a crash in Manatee County that killed a passenger in his vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

According to WWSB, 33-year-old Nicholas Rodriguez has been charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. The accident happened in the area of 27th Street East and 26th Avenue East at about 8 o’clock on Thursday night.

State troopers said Rodriguez was driving a vehicle that went off the road while headed north on 27th Street East. The vehicle hit a fence, a pedestrian crosswalk indicator and a utility pole before catching fire. The passenger was declared dead at the scene. The victim’s identity was not yet released.

Rodriguez sustained minor injuries in the crash and was treated at Blake Hospital.

At Kemp Law, we are dedicated to protecting the legal rights of families after the loss of a loved one. If the death resulted from someone acting negligently, our Manatee County Wrongful Death Lawyers can file a wrongful death lawsuit that helps families seek compensation to gain peace of mind and financial stability after their traumatic loss. To discuss your case in a free consultation, call us at (727) 788-6792 or submit our contact form to speak with one of our experienced lawyers.