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Retired Officer Charged With DUI Manslaughter Following Fatal Airport Boulevard Pedestrian Crash
September 13, 2021
A retired police officer is charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with a fatal crash Monday morning on Airport Boulevard.
About 7:30 a.m., a pedestrian was walking westbound on an Airport Boulevard sidewalk, between The Fresh Market and Sam’s’ Club, when they were hit by a pickup truck driven by 74-year old Alvin Odessel. Godwin.
The name of the victim has not been released, but Pensacola Police have confirmed the victim was not a student at nearby Washington High School.
According to police, Godwin retired from the Pensacola Police Department as a lieutenant about 20 years ago. He was released from the Escambia County on a $100,000 bond. Due to his status as a retired officer, his mugshot is exempt from release under Florida law.
Airport Boulevard was closed for several hours due to the crash but has since reopened.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
19 Responses to “Retired Officer Charged With DUI Manslaughter Following Fatal Airport Boulevard Pedestrian Crash”
Sending prayers for the victim’s family in their time of loss.
A DUI does not necessarily mean alcohol, Driving Under the Influence is ANYTHING that influences your mind/reaction time, yes it could have been medication…. But ones that cause problems state on the bottle do not drive until you know how it affects you!!!
So retired cop or not, he should be held responsible just as any ordinary person would be
@ Susan:
No I don’t drink or take mind altering medications, legal or illegal. I was merely responding to Ms Beck’s comment, which, incidentally, appeared to be correct. I’m very sorry you are having comprehension issues.
Retired LEO or not, a lot of medications are impairing and if you take them you should know the side effects. He wouldn’t have been arrested if it wasn’t impairment. He should and will be held accountable just like any other citizen.
May God be with all concerned. Healing prayers for the family for their terrible loss. Prayers for Alvin and his family for the truth in the investigation and appropriate justice.
This is a very sad accident for everyone.
We should get all the facts Before we pass judgment
I had just brought my son to the college and was on my back when I turned on Airport road and saw police had the road blocked. I had to turn around and go to Bayou Blvd. Must have just missed seeing this on the way to the college.
Prayers to the family of the deceased and to the retired officer and his family.
That doesn’t sound like the Alvin I know.
Very sorry for the victim.
I’m noticing all the apologies for the police officer and one that said I’m sure there’s underlying circumstances he was drunk what part do you not get a retired police officer at his age knows better drunk in the middle of the day hit and killed a pedestrian they were on the sidewalk people on here putting comments you got it all screwed up feel sorry for The pedestrian that was hit and killed minding his own business Pensacola is getting disgusting anymore
Just Saying is 100% correct.
I have not seen or heard anything about what his Blood alcohol content was, but I doubt he would have been charged with DUI if it was medically related. It’s hard to have sympathy for someone who knew better, condolences to the victims family.
@ Warren Piece. Speak for yourself. Plenty of medications say Don’t Operate a Vehicle. Are you driving under the influence?
Interesting that the comments express sympathy for the driver and conjecture that it was probably a medication issue. At his age, that may very well be true, as could some type of medical condition/emergency. He may even have some type of dementia/Alzheimers.
The interesting part, however, is that if this had been John Q Public instead of an LEO or elderly gentleman…everyone would be screaming for justice and wanting him locked away for the remainder of his life.
Just Saying
I am very sorry for Mr Godwin, no one could have known better than him. I suspect there are extenuating circumstances.
Condolences to the family. Hopefully they will treat this DUI as all others and not a slap on the wrist
@ Ms Beck: Even though it is illegal to drive in this condition, I think you will find you are correct. Sincere condolences to the family of the victim. By the grace of the Almighty, it could have been any of us.
This could have also been medication of some type. Sad no matter what.
7:30am….he should know better.
It’s unfortunate that people are not even safe walking on a sidewalk in daylight and at that hour is even worse. To the family and friends of the deceased, I am so sorry for your loss.
If you’re going to drink, PLEASE, DON’T DRIVE!!!!