Florida man facing DUI manslaughter charges for allegedly killing cyclist pleads not guilty on August 7
LEHIGH ACRES, FLORIDA: A Florida man was taken into custody for DUI manslaughter after he hit a bicyclist who later died following the crash. According to the Flordia Highway Patrol (FHP) investigators, the incident took place on July 2 at around 9.35 pm on Douglas Lane in Lehigh.
According to investigators, the suspect was driving east on Douglas Lane when he veered partially into the north grass shoulder, colliding with the bicyclist and a mailbox, reported Fox 4 Now.
Who is Zenaido Martinez Gomez?
Gomez entered a not-guilty plea before Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning on Monday, August 4. Following his July 3 arrest, the 32-year-old suspect Lehigh Acres was released on July 6 on a $50,000 bond. He also ran over a mailbox during the crash.
A woman named Cindy Valladares, who was at her mother's house at the time of the deadly incident, recounted the horrifying scene of the suspect running over their family's mailbox as she stepped outside. "The mailbox is gone that was made out of concrete...then there was a young guy laid out on the driveway," said Valladeres who called 911 at the time.
As per the crash report, the bicyclist who suffered critical injuries was transported to the Gulf Coast Medical Center, 13681 Doctors Way but was pronounced dead later. The vehicle involved in the cars is a Jeep Gladiator which was traveling east on Douglas Lane before the crash. Gomez was taken into custody after leaving the scene involving death, DUI property damage, and DUI manslaughter. His car was located at an address in Lehigh Acres.
Investigation into the deadly crash is ongoing
Delmar Haley, who lives in the neighborhood shared his thoughts on the ongoing safety issue in their area. "You know sometimes you just want to take a stroll down the road, they are on the bike and you are walking...But some are not paying attention like on the cell phone and just speeding and not realizing there are kids," said the father of two young daughters.
"The driver of the Jeep initially stopped, exited his vehicle, surveyed the scene, and then left," FHP Lieutenant Greg Bueno said at the time. "The message here is, go out and celebrate with your family. We definitely want you to do that. Just do so responsibly," Bueno added saying the deadly crash was avoidable. Authorities are continuing to investigate the crash case.
