Josh Hunter, former football coach at Bradenton’s Braden River High School, faces trial on DUI manslaughter charges next month in Manatee County.

Hunter was driving his SUV home from a party in Venice on March 21, 2009, when it overturned on northbound State Road 681 near Interstate 75. Hunter’s best friend and colleague Doug Garrity was thrown from the car (he was not wearing a seat belt) and died the following day. Hunter resigned his coaching and teaching positions shortly thereafter.

A Florida Highway Patrol report relating to the incident indicates that Hunter smelled of alcohol and had watery, bloodshot eyes at the scene. Photographs taken by FHP investigators showed “numerous Michelob Ultra beer bottles and cans” around Hunter’s truck, according to the report.

Hunter declined to give a sworn statement to investigators on the advice of his wife, Anne Hunter, an assistant public defender in the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Hunter’s trial is scheduled to begin the week of April 19. Prosecutors allege that a toxicology report shows Hunter’s blood-alcohol conteent at the time of the wreck was nearly three times the level at which Florida law presumes a driver is impaired (.08%).

Prosecutors also intend to present testimony from Venice High School football coach John Peacock that Hunter was drinking at a party prior to the wreck. Peacock told investigators that Hunter brought alcohol to the party and was drinking before the wreck.

Two other passengers in Hunter’s car, Matthew Braselton and James Hunter, were unharmed. They told investigators that Hunter swerved to avoid a deer.

Hunter faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of DUI manslaughter.

DUI, Felonies

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 11:48 pm and is filed under Florida Criminal Law News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.