The driver in a fatal crash that killed four members of a Whitman family last month will be charged with careless driving.
Dos Reis Laurindo is currently being held on a visa violation at the Glades County Jail, according to a prepared statement through Lieutenant Kim Montes Public Affairs Officer for the Florida Highway Patrol.
“Under Florida law, the strongest charge that could be made against him is a ticket issued for careless driving,”
The crash, which occurred on Florida SR-429, on February 18 of this year, killed Julie Smith, her daughter Scarlett Smith, 5, and her mother Josephine Fay, who were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Smith’s son Jaxon Smith, 11, died at the hospital on the following day.
The family of eight was on vacation in Orlando, Fla. when they were involved in the fatal crash.
Dos Reis Laurindo, was behind the wheel of a 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 truck when he failed to slow down hitting the van the Smith’s were in causing it to flip on its side.
“The investigation included the actions of Dos Reis Laurindo at the time of the crash as well as his driver’s license status. The result of the crash investigation has determined that Dos Reis Laurindo was at fault for the collision,” said Montes in the prepared statement.
Dos Reis Laurindo was issued the ticket last week. Under Florida law there is a mandatory court appearance for the violation. He was taken into custody by federal law enforcement for a visa violation, on February 28.
The Florida Highway Patrol has been in contact with the families involved in this horrific crash and continues to send our condolences, as they recover, the statement read.