An Orlando man and his three sons were killed after their car was struck by an intoxicated driver who sped through a red light in St. Petersburg just before 1:00am Sunday, police said.
“When he told me that the three sons were also killed, we just couldn’t believe it,” said neighbor Norma Vasquez.
In the east Orlando neighborhood where Vasquez lives, the deaths of four members of the McConnell family who live down the street are almost too heavy to bear.
“Those kids grew up with our kids here. They played in this neighborhood. They went the same elementary, junior high school. They graduated and still kept in touch,” explained Vasquez.
Neighbors said the family left Orlando to spend some time together on the west coast of Florida.
St. Petersburg police said early Sunday morning a 20-year-old who was allegedly driving drunk, ran a red light and crashed into the victim’s Ford Fusion car.
Police said the crash killed 51-year-old and his three sons ages 28, 24 and 19.
“Somebody that’s been drinking on the road, shouldn’t be on the road, was on the road and this is what happened,” said Vasquez.
Eyewitness News reached out to the family of the suspect, who were unaware of what he did.
“I’m sorry for y’all pain, man. I’m sorry for the hurt that my son have caused y’all man. If there’s something I can do to help y’all man, just let me know,” said , the suspect’s father.
Neighbors in Orlando said some of the sons who were killed in the crash had small children of their own and are now without a father.
“I just cannot comprehend that they’re all gone. They’re just all gone,” said Vasquez.
The suspect has been charged with four counts of DUI manslaughter and for injuring his passenger. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. When he is released, he will be taken to jail.
Driving records show a request had been made to suspend the suspect’s license last week. He failed to pay a $166 fine after he ran a stop sign on June 30.
However, a check of DMV records shows his license is active. The suspect has seven traffic citations, including three in June alone, but no prior arrests.
Our condolences at Musca Law go out to the family of these 4 men. May they never be forgotten. The only possibly good news for the family at this time is the suspect could very well be in jail for the rest of his life without the help of an Orlando DUI lawyer at our firm.
