Leslie Gehret, Orlando, Florida repeat DUI driver kills Shane and Jakob Lloyd Colorado father & son heading to college orientation. Drunk driver had had her license revoked at time of crash.
Why was she on the roads to begin with? A repeat drunk driver with a suspended license killed a father and son heading to a Florida college orientation over the weekend — leading to her third DUI arrest in 10 years, according to reports.
Leslie Gehret, 40, is now facing homicide raps after driving through a red light and crashing into a car carrying Coloradans, Shane Lloyd, 50, and his son Jakob Lloyd, 19, on Sunday afternoon.
Police said the victims were making a legal turn in Orlando when Gehmert, who was sued just last year in connection with another crash, careened directly into them after entering an intersection at a high rate of speed.
‘They were down there so he could start his life and career’
The Lloyds’ vehicle rolled over several times and ended up on its roof, according to Fox 35.
‘My brother was my hero, so for this to be like a double whammy for our family, it’s hard to take all this in,’ Shane’s sister, Shannon Brown, told FOX35. ‘They were just down there to get him ready to start. To start his life and his career.’
Shane Lloyd was pronounced dead at the scene while Jakob — who was slated to study forensic chemistry — passed away at a local hospital due to severe trauma.
Gehret suffered minor injuries.
The father and son were preparing to return to Colorado after a visit to the University of Central Florida, where Jakob was planning to begin classes in the Fall.
Cops said Gehret, who had her license revoked (for six months) after a March DUI arrest, reeked of booze at the scene of the accident and refused to submit to a blood alcohol test. She’d been on probation at the time of the crash, WKMG reported.
‘It is unreal. You are furious. You are numb’
A witness told Fox 35 that Gehret remained in her car immediately after the collision.
‘She was in complete shock. She was sitting in the car with her hands on the wheel just kind of looking side to side,’ Chase Woodburn said.
‘It is unreal. You are furious. You are numb. Your heart shatters,’ Brandy Bowden, the sister of Shane Lloyd told CBS News.
Gehmert was booked with two vehicular homicide charges, one charge of driving with a suspended license with death, one further charge of DUI and two counts of DUI manslaughter.
Her bail was set at $700,000, with the woman remaining behind bars.
Gehmert, previously of New Rochelle, New York, was sued for damages last July for a separate wreck that left Alexander Chapman with a ‘permanent injury,’ according to court papers.
The real dangers of drinking and driving
She ‘made an improper turn, failed to maintain her lane, crossed into the Plaintiff’s lane of travel and crashed into the front of the Plaintiff’s vehicle,’ the complaint states.
Brown said her father was an electrical engineer and her brother had dreams of becoming an attorney.
‘He had an interest in forensics, he wanted to be a lawyer,’ she said. ‘He was really going to make a difference, but that’s gone now.’
Bowden encouraged the public to not drink and drive in honor of her loved ones.
‘Do not get behind the wheel of a car (when you are intoxicated), because a split second can change somebody’s life,’ Bowden said. ‘And the one who was drinking is always the one who walks away with minor injuries. And it’s not right.’
