Metro
Man charged with DUI manslaughter after I-275 wreck
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Published: February 22, 2012
Updated: 02/22/2012 09:42 pm
TAMPA - A man who crashed his car last summer in a wreck that eventually claimed the life of his passenger was arrested today and charged with DUI manslaughter.
Test results show Dale Alan Thompson, 26, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.174, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. In Florida, a person is presumed to be impaired with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08.
Thompson was arrested in Ohio and also faces two counts of DUI property damage, according to the FHP.
Brittany Michelle Wentz, 21, of Tampa, died from injuries from the crash on an Interstate 275 exit ramp. She was a front seat passenger in the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt that Thompson was driving.
Just before 1 a.m. on July 12, Thompson was driving west on the I-275 exit ramp to Himes Avenue, the FHP said. He lost control of the car and drove into the center grass median.
The car crashed into a chain-link fence, light pole and tree, eventually overturning and coming to rest on its roof, according to the FHP.
Thompson and two other passengers in the car weren't injured.
Wentz was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. She died on July 22 from her injuries.
Thompson will be extradited to Florida.
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