HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla.—A suspect in a 2017 DUI manslaughter case could be back in the area after fleeing to avoid arrest, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office officials said.
Deputies said Samuel Tucker admitted he was behind the wheel of a 2017 Maserati Ghibli when he ran off the road on a curve on State Road 17. The crash killed the 22-year-old passenger Alyssa Vice, reports said.
An investigation of the crash by the Florida Highway Patrol showed that Tucker was driving while drunk and his blood alcohol was measured at more than twice the legal limit after he was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Troopers said he was also driving at 140 mph shortly before the crash. The car was still going 127 mph when it hit the power pole, which was more than 200 feet from where the car left the road.
Deputies said they recently received a tip that Tucker had been spotted in the area. Anyone who has information about his whereabouts is asked to call Det. Yancy Plair at 863-402-7200 or leave an anonymous tip with Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or online at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers tips can be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.
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