DUI Manslaughter Crash New Years Eve in Seminole
Updated: January 1, 2016 at 5:30PM
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Steven Clarke posted bail in the amount of $20,000 less than 21 hours after the crash that left 31 year-old Matthew DeRemer dead in a motorcycle crash.
According to arrest documentation, FHP Trooper Nixon observed multiple signs of impairment including blood shot watery eyes, mumbled/slurred speech and a strong and distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage. Clarke admitted to the Trooper that he consumed alcoholic beverages earlier in the evening according to the report. He refused to submit to a voluntary blood sample or standardized field sobriety evaluations (SFSEs). A forced blood draw was taken from Mr. Clarke with results pending at this time.
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Posted: January 1, 2016
A 31 year-old St. Petersburg man was killed while riding his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle New Years Eve in Seminole. Matthew DeRemer was traveling westbound on 102nd Avenue passing through the intersection of 98/97th Street North.
While DeRemer was crossing through the intersection, a vehicle driven eastbound by 59 year-old Steven Lee Clarke of Seminole turned left in front of him according to Troopers. The 2012 Lincoln MKX traveled into the path of DeRemer and he sustained fatal injuries and died on the scene. Troopers report that Deremer was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred shortly before 8 PM on December 31, 2015. The westbound lanes remained closed into the early morning hours due to the investigation and repairs to the traffic signals.
Clarke was later arrested for DUI manslaughter and taken to Pinellas County Jail for processing.
The investigation continues.
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Final Facebook post on December 31, 2015
Rip Jiff you will be greatly missed. The short time I’ve know you you have gave me hope when I was.down smilies when I was sad. Hope when I was down. Someone I could talk to bout things that no other could help with. Glad you where right with the man upstairs. He must have needed one of his best angels back home. Please watch over all of us. Your presents made a huge impact on my life. Much love and respect brother.
He must have really been really hauling butt!!! My wife and I happen to come up on the accident and the telephone pole was down long with a street light.
I doubt if a SUV turning into an intersection could do this damage so my guess would be either the motorcycle hit it or the motorcycle pushed the SUV into the pole.
That is a section of road that is a FAST track for sportbikers going both east and west on Bryan Dairy. I hear them all night long from my home on the other side of the canal (east of this intersection)
RIP
He was responsible on his bike. It was the DRUNK MORON WHO KILLED HIM
It’s amazing how you could take the death of somebody as a reason to say that he was doing something wrong. How about the freaking idiot who decided that it was ok to chug some booze on new years eve and then go driving. Amazing how you shift the blame from him just because this guy was on a bike. Irregardless of how fast he might have been going it doesn’t change the fact that he’d still be alive if this dumb old drunk didn’t decide it was ok to drink and drive. Get your priorities straight and have some sympathy for his family by not attempting to degrade him by saying that he was doing anything wrong. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anything posted that was so idiotic and shallow and just downright wrong. Classifying him along with other motorcyclists and assuming he was speeding because others do is just like anyone assuming anything about you because of the things you do. One thing that doesn’t have to be assumed though is that you’re an absolute moron. Don’t post stuff until you actually think about what in the hell you’re saying.
Scott…. A motorcycle pushed the suv?! You are an absolute idiot. How dare you even think about saying anything against Matt. You are a terrible person and hope you have a less than an average year.
I drove past the accident, I saw a SUV in the middle of the road and a bike that was disintegrated. This was at the east end of the swooping curve past starkey rd and bryan dairy.
Since the pole and the street light was down, ONE of them hit the pole. Either the SUV or the motorcycle. The SUV was in the middle of the road. So you are correct. It must be the bike that did this.
I did see this.
Annmarie – I’m sorry for your loss, I can’t believe you post that he was a ‘responsible rider’. I guess you didn’t know his FB page is public??
Be sure and look at the images he posted.
It’s your opinion he was a responsible rider, but I don’t think most would arrive at this when you post images like a pitcher of beer next to a helmet that says “no words needed”, or a pic of ‘his club’ doing wheelies down the middle of the road.
Plenty of him drinking with his buddies on his FB page. Maybe his club was responsible and they called Uber. I don’t know.
Just my opinion since I did see the aftermath. His FB page didn’t do him any good.
I take it you believe that the witness that said he was speeding in and out of traffic was lying??.
Scott, you are an absolutely idiot with no sense of decency or compassion to anyone other yourself and you clearly do not have any of the facts. I live on the lake just inside the entrance of where this tragedy happened and also witnessed the aftermath of this terrible accident. There was NO pole down as you stated and to even suggest that this young man was the slightest bit responsible for this is absolutely ridiculous and this was the actions of an adult that was drunk before 8 pm and chose to get behind the wheel and I hope that Steven Clarke never has the opportunity to destroy anyone’s life again.
I wish I could have been blessed and had the pleasure to have meet Matt, I have also read his facebook, but unlike you, I saw a young man that enjoyed life, family, friends and defended this country for YOU. He seemed like a great kid with nothing but a bright future ahead of him and his life was cut much too short. I was lost for words and could not believe how calloused you were when I read your first post and not only shocked but totally pissed off when I read the second post for all to read. This only shows what a shallow and sad little person you are and I am sure you will never be a quarter of the man Matt was.
You need to apologize to all of Matt’s family, friends and anyone that was lucky enough to meet him, along with all of the people that have read your terrible misguided posts.
I pray to GOD that Matt’s life gives comfort to all of his family and friends that loved him so dearly and that they know he will be their angel looking down, watching and protecting them all.
Scott F – Your post proves you know absolutely nothing about Matthew but somehow believe you have the right to judge him. Matthew was a Marine who served our country in Afghanistan and returned home like many young women and men with PTSD. He had experienced unbelievable horrors – more than most humans but had worked at getting through those tough times. If you took the time to read his posts rather than just looking at pictures taken over a period of time, you would have a very good idea of how he had been through H E L L but had made it back. Did you happen to see the picture of his biker buddies with their vests that read “Fastlane for Christ”? No, but then that wouldn’t fit the image you are trying to project onto Matthew. He had accepted the Lord as his Savior and was sharing God’s words with all he knew. He had turned his life around and was definitely on the right path. His parents are long time members of my church and “wonderful” dedicated Christians. I can only imagine how much your comments would hurt if they came across them and I pray they never see your posts. You should be very ashamed of yourself for writing such a negative post about a young man who was killed because a 59 year old man chose to drive while drunk and turned in front of his motorcycle. Clark knew he was impaired and also knew he could refuse a breathalyzer test at the scene. He most likely hoping he would sober up before an order could be issued for a blood test at the hospital. These are actions of someone who may have had previous DUI arrests. Even with the time lapse, he was found legally drunk. You offer no harsh words for a man who had other options besides driving while drunk which ended the life of a 31 year old man? From what you wrote here I could assume you are a cold hearted, uncaring, egotistical man who lacks any compassion for your fellow man – but then I don’t know you so I will reframe from judging you. I am a 69 year old retired teacher and one thing I learned years ago in college was never to assume anything because you know what that says about all involved.
I hope this man never sees daylight again bc we won’t ever see our friend and loved one anymore
I drove past the crash and i could just feel that a good person had just left us. I didnt know this person but that feeling was very real and i could just feel it. This drunk should be addressed to a jail cell.
I am so sorry for this useless tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
This is truly sad, I met Matthew last weekend on a ride from Largo to Weekie Wachie, Upper Deck. He was a Marine as well as in the health care field, helping people. He was physically fit and mentally sound a well rounded young,man and someone I would proudly call a,new friend. For this to happen to Matthew is more than tragic, it goes beyond that with all the people Matthew helped and could have helped. To serve overseas and survive only to be killed here at home is a horrible injustice. I hope this criminal pays the ultimate price, send him to jail for murder, he took full responsibility getting behind the wheel drunk..No penalty can truly replace what he took from so many people.
Wow Scott F, you either is a imbred or just retarded. You go on here and blame the dead guy for being killed by a drunk. You never witnessed the accident but you talk like you know all sorts of physics. Seriously, you are pathetic. Next time leave your whole name with your post and let the community pay you a visit.
Please do not speculate about this tragic accident. I was there and unfortunately it was mistakes by both parties that resulted in this tragedy. I will not post details. I am so thankful that Matthew knows the Lord and is at home with him now but much too soon. May the Lord give his grace and peace to everyone in getting through this tragedy.