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Escambia Woman Sentenced To 24 Years For DUI Manslaughter Of Two On I-10
November 15, 2013
An Escambia County woman is headed to prison for a DUI manslaughter for a crash on I-10 last October that claimed the lives of an adult and a child.
Kimberly Renee Rodrigues was sentenced by Judge W. Joel Boles to 24.45 years in state prison for 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.
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 she 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 airlifted by Life Flight 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.
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
16 Responses to “Escambia Woman Sentenced To 24 Years For DUI Manslaughter Of Two On I-10”
REGARDING:
“@Disappointed; At least this woman is getting more than a few years or no jail time at all. Read the case of Gabrielle Nestande from Austin, Texas if you really want to be sickened. This girl hit a person walking and didn’t even stop, most likely because she had been drinking. She received 10 years probation, no jail time. “
Actually, she got six months jail time.
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/affidavit-nestande-assaulted-in-jail/nZqkR/
“In March, Nestande was sentenced to 10-years probation, six months of which she must spend in Travis County Jail.”
She was attacked while in jail there.
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/nestande-gets-10-years-probation-for-fatal-wreck/nWXkt/
“A Travis County jury on Friday recommended 10 years’ probation for Gabrielle Nestande for criminally negligent homicide in the May 2011 death of Courtney Griffin.”
Notice it was based on a jury recommendation based on all they heard.
Notice it was a Texas jury and her father was a legislator in California.
Unlikely a Texas jury was bowing to the bigshot from out of state.
“Nestande had testified Tuesday that she glanced down at her phone for a moment .”
Distracted driving, cell phone use?
“The jury deliberated for about 21 hours over three days before finding Nestande guilty of criminally negligent homicide Thursday afternoon. Jurors found her not guilty of failure to stop and render aid in the case, in which prosecutors said Nestande struck and killed Griffin with her car on a Tarrytown street in West Austin after a night of drinking, then fled the scene. Nestande also had been charged with intoxication manslaughter and manslaughter, which could have carried heavier potential sentences.”
Notice she was found not guilty of the other charges.
We don’t know what was going through the minds of the 9 men and three women on the jury.
David for wise jurors
@Disappointed; At least this woman is getting more than a few years or no jail time at all. Read the case of Gabrielle Nestande from Austin, Texas if you really want to be sickened. This girl hit a person walking and didn’t even stop, most likely because she had been drinking. She received 10 years probation, no jail time. Of course she comes from a wealthy family so you know how that rolls.
@ OPOINIONS…appeals? Well, all I can say is I hope whom ever is going to help this lady has at least $60,000 for an appeals attorney. It’s not cheap and the process takes many years to complete. All appeals are public knowledge on the First District Appeals website. Take some time and read some of the cases involving DUI and see how things went for them…NOT good.
There was absolutely NO excuse for her actions, expect selfishness…period. My heart goes out to the Cummings family. May the Lord continue to bring them peace and comfort.
It is quite obvious that her family was also victimized by her unfortunate choices and they deserve compassion as well, but having a family does not justify leniency in sentencing. I have heard that vehicles will soon be equipped with devices that detect impairment and not allow it to start. That will be a wonderful thing if it really happens. I hope they can also detect being under the influence of xanax. Heck the lowered traffic will cut my commute in half.
She drove drunk. She was responsible for others’ deaths. I’m so very sorry for her family, too. She has hurt at least two families. That her own family will be without a member is not an excuse for a lenient sentence. Driving drunk is one of the most selfish things you can do.
I feel so heart broken for the victims and their family. I DO NOT feel badly for the woman who was drunk, at 4 am she should have been home with HER family not out drinking and driving. There is a time in life to grow up and leave your party days behind. I do feel badly for her children, having to deal with this. BUT IT WAS HER CHOICE. I hope she relives that night over and over in her mind, I know the surviving victims of her carelessness will.
Yo Opinions…So you hope it brings closure…well maybe had this woman not decided to drive DRUNK…closure would not have been needed. To read that someone was a .166/.170 is not just “following the news” but FACT! Regardless of her age when she gets out…she still has a family and children. There is now a family that can not say that any longer. In many peoples eyes…this is MURDER! She chose to drink…she chose to drive…she chose her fate…and unfortunately…an innocents families fate! So talk about your appeal…the inconsistency…but the fact still remains…two INNOCENT people are DEAD! She should have worried about her family before driving drunk at 80+ MPH. Sorry for her family…but sounds like she got what was deserved!
Here, here, well said David Huie Green
@Opinions….I understand this lady has a family, but when she chose to drink and drive she never gave consideration of the family she destroyed, so why should she be any different. I personally believe she got off easy with the sentence. Too many people die because of stupid people out drinking or even sitting at home drinking and then choose to drive and kill someone!!!
I understand that everyone has an opinion, and I also see that you are just following the news. BUT, this woman has a family that loves her as well. She has children, a husband, parents, and siblings. This case is going for appeal due to many inconsistancies in the testimonies that were given. @ disappointed, if you actually read the article, she is 45 years old, she will be near 70 when she gets out. @ Matt I’ve read articles where people have deliberately, maliciously planned to end a persons life, and get less time that she is getting for a nonviolent crime. Maybe when it is your family member you will see it for what it is. @shameonyou, be careful , DUI stands for driving under the influence, that can be alcohol OR drugs. My prayers go to the Cummings family, may this bring you closure, and may your loved ones rest in peace, you have handled this tragedy with more class and forgiveness than most could. AND to the Rodrigues family may you find peace in the turmoil surrounding your family.
And yet they keep that crap legal, its amazing. If she was high she would have been doing 65 at best. Not saying you should drive intoxicated. I feel sick about the whole situation. And she deserves to rot in jail. Old enough to know better
Could not of said it better D.H. Green. All because of alcohol, why can’t people understand? Sorry to the family of the victims.
DUI laws are way too lax. That woman destroyed a family.
Nothing good comes from drinking alcohol!
guess u don’t get life anymore if u kill someone
Drink
Drive
Kill
Pay