Thanksgiving eve traffic crash killed 2 and injured 4 in Marion County: What we know
A mother and her grown daughter from Homestead, ages 61 and 32, were killed early Wednesday in a traffic crash on U.S. 441 North near Ocala. Four other members of the same family, including a 10-month-old girl, were injured. The other driver was arrested on DUI manslaughter charges.
Here's what we know about the case:
How did this crash happen?
About 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Homestead family was northbound in the right lane of U.S. 441 North, near Northwest 95th Street. Logan Levi Alexander Weir passed a UPS semi tractor-trailer, came in behind the family's KIA SUV, then hit that vehicle from behind, causing it to split and overturn.
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What is the latest on the medical condition of the four surviving victims?
According to the FHP: The driver, a 58-year-old man, had minor injuries. His grown son, age 29, was in the front passenger seat. He was treated for minor injuries and released from Ocala Regional Medical Center.
The passenger's wife, age 26, was at ORMC in serious condition. Their 10-month-old daughter was in serious condition at UF Health Shands in Gainesville.
Where is suspect Logan Levi Alexander Weir?
Weir, 32, of Boca Raton, posted bond and was released from the Marion County Jail late Wednesday. His bail had been set at $22,000. He faces two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of DUI with serious bodily injuries and two counts of DUI property damages and injuries.
According to troopers, although Weir's driver's license has a Boca Raton address, he lives most of the time in the north Marion County community of Citra.
Why do we know the suspect's name but not the names of the victims from Homestead?
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer provides names in its press releases. However, since Weir was arrested, his name is on the arrest affidavit, where names are routinely listed.
FHP said Weir refused a field sobriety test, so how could troopers arrest him on DUI charges?
According to the arrest affidavit, Weir's breath smelled of alcohol, they found containers (empty beer cans and a flask) in his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, and they observed that his eyes were watery and bloodshot and that he was swaying and unsteady on his feet.
He also told troopers that he had been at a nearby bar before the crash.
According to the arrest affidavit, when Weir declined to provide a blood sample, he said he had seen Rittenhouse and doesn't trust "any of them."
Rittenhouse was a reference to Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of murder charges after fatal shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin. "Any of them" was an apparent reference to law enforcement in general.
Is there more evidence in the DUI case?
Though Weir declined to voluntarily give a blood sample, troopers obtained a search warrant that allowed them to get a sample. The blood will be sent to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory for testing.
Why was the Homestead family north of Ocala Tuesday night/early Wednesday?
The highway patrol said the family was driving to North Carolina for the Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers did not say where in the state.
This story includes information from Star-Banner reporter Austin L. Miller
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: 2 Homestead relatives killed, 4 injured in Marion crash. What we know
