Woman Convicted Of DUI Manslaughter In I-10 Crash That Killed Two

August 31, 2013

An Escambia County woman is facing up to 35 year in prison after being convicted of DUI manslaughter for a crash on I-10 last  October that claimed the lives of an adult and a child.

Kimberly Renee Rodrigues was convicted of two counts of DUI manslaughter, one count DUI causing great bodily harm and one count DUI causing property damage. She was convicted following a two-day trial. She will be sentenced November 14.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Rodrigues was traveling west on I-10 near the Pine Forest exit about 4:40 a.m. on  October 21, 2012,. Prosecutors said he was traveling approximately 86 miles per hour when she slammed into the rear of a delivery truck driven by Melissa Lynn Lyublanovits, 44, of Pensacola.

Moments later, a GMC Yukon driven by Riviera Beach resident Lovett Cummings approached in the outside lane and swerved to avoid Rodrigues pickup.  Cummings barely missed Rodrigues’ truck but his Yukon then rolled several times before coming to a rest in the trees on the north shoulder of the Interstate.

His 11-year old son, Lovett Deshun Cummings II, was ejected and died on the scene, while his 71-year old father, Lovett Junior Cummings,  was also killed in the crash.  Cummings’ mother was seriously injured and was Life Flighted from the scene. The delivery truck driver was unhurt.

Shortly after the crash, Rodrigues’ blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.166/0.170, over twice the legal limit.

Judge Joel Boles remanded Rodrigues into custody until her sentencing.

Pictured above: A pickup involved in an October accident on I-10. (Note: The tractor-trailer in the photo was not involved in the crash.)The scene  on I-10 in Pensacola where two people were killed in a multi-vehicle accident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Woman Convicted Of DUI Manslaughter In I-10 Crash That Killed Two”

  1. David Huie Green on September 2nd, 2013 11:55 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Since the eleven year old was ejected, I suppose it’s safe to assume that he was not wearing a seatbelt. I’m surprised she is responsible for this. What if he had swerved to avoid hitting debris on the highway?”

    If some natural obstruction had caused the fatalities, the people who didn’t buckle the child in would be responsible. Or actually, the child who unbuckled himself would be responsible since nobody can watch a child every second of the day.

    As it was, the obstruction was caused by a lady who was not legally on the road at the time. It is not legal to drive on public roads under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, so it is her fault even though they would not have died if the driver had reacted earlier or the vehicle been safer (SUVs tend to roll, high center of mass) or the child buckled in.

    David for fewer tragedies

  2. cpgone1 on September 1st, 2013 7:36 am

    Should be 135 years. Would not bother me if they gave her the chair.

  3. Stephanie Small on August 31st, 2013 9:11 pm

    Since the eleven year old was ejected, I suppose it’s safe to assume that he was not wearing a seatbelt. I’m surprised she is responsible for this. What if he had swerved to avoid hitting debris on the highway? Sad all the way around.

  4. mr. greenjeans on August 31st, 2013 5:13 pm

    Yep another family destroyed by good ole alcohol,the devils drink, what do you expect.But its not a drug its sold everywhere its as safe as any pill on the market. just ask any pharmacist.

  5. mick on August 31st, 2013 3:32 pm

    She should get the full 35 yrs no parole, free will, and bad choices should cost her freedom…

  6. paul on August 31st, 2013 10:14 am

    I’ll be glad when distracted driving gets the attention and penalties that DUI’s get.. Dead is dead and if it’s your choice to do it while drinking or on a cell phone, the charges should be the same when your actions take a life.. Someday our roads will be safer..

  7. Lin on August 31st, 2013 6:56 am

    What a shame and all this because of alcohol, will people ever learn.