Woman Arrested for DUI Manslaughter After Killing Pedestrian in Madeira Beach
A DUI driver struck and killed 73 year-old Nancy Durham-Jones of North Port, Florida. The crash occurred at about 8:24 PM on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, as she was attempted to cross Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach.
According to investigators of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.), Durham-Jones, was walking with her husband when she activated the flashing warning beacon for the crosswalk on Gulf Boulevard, just north of 130th Avenue, and proceeded to cross Gulf Boulevard from east to west, utilizing the marked crosswalk.
A 2014 Hyundai Elantra being driven by, 26-year-old Ashley Konforte, was traveling southbound on Gulf Boulevard approaching 130th Avenue, in the median southbound lane, when Konforte failed to yield the right of way and struck Durham-Jones in the crosswalk with the front passenger side of her vehicle.
Fire Medics from Madeira Beach Fire Rescue responded and pronounced Durham-Jones dead at the scene.
Investigators say that Konforte showed signs of impairment at the scene of the crash and admitted to taking multiple prescription drugs. Investigators also found marijuana inside Konforte’s vehicle.
Speed does not appear to be a factor in the crash. Multiple people reported heavy fog in the area at the time of the crash.
Investigators arrested Konforte at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. Konforte was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident. She was released from the jail on $20,500 bail at 10:29 AM on Thursday, February 9, 2017.
Konforte was charged with one count of DUI Manslaughter and one count of Possession of Marijuana.
Next of kin has been notified and the investigation continues.
In 2012, Konforte was arrested for DUI in Pinellas County and the same year charged wth possession of cocaine.
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