The deadly accident in Polk County was the result of “reckless and foolish driving,” the sheriff said.
During the initial investigation, Damien Fletcher told detectives that “he lost control of the jeep while trying to avoid the animal.”
Haines City, Florida. The 19-year-old was arrested after detectives said he was driving at 104 mph before crashing and killing a passenger in the car.
Damien Fletcher has been charged with vehicular homicide, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
As a result of the accident, another 19-year-old boy, who was in the car on June 29, died. The man’s 16-year-old brother was also injured, authorities said.
“He killed his friend and wounded his friend’s brother,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in the video.
The accident happened around 22:30. During the initial investigation, Fletcher told detectives that “he lost control of the jeep while trying to avoid the animal.” However, the data showed that the Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling at 104 mph in a 55 mph zone less than two seconds before the crash, the sheriff’s office said.
“Reckless, stupid driving is plain and simple,” Judd said in a statement.
In addition, authorities said the data did not show braking or steering to match the animal avoidance claim. Witnesses also told the police that the jeep sped past them in a restricted area and the jeep turned off its headlights before the crash.
Fletcher learned of the new findings and confirmed them to be true, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Soon he was arrested.
