A Florida man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after causing a tragic crash that killed a mother and her daughter while driving under the influence.
Jacob Manuel, 25, entered a no contest plea on February 4 to two counts of DUI-manslaughter and one count of DUI with serious bodily injury. This followed the deaths of Tallulah Montez Beaman Ellis and her daughter, Tammy R. Hughes. The State Attorney’s Office for the 14th Judicial Circuit shared this news in a press release.
In the May 10, 2022, incident, Manuel could have faced a life sentence if he had been convicted of all charges. Authorities reported that he arrived at a bar in Panama City around 5 p.m. and left about three hours later with an alcoholic drink.
Prosecutors stated that while driving his Dodge Charger at approximately 130 mph on John Pitts Road, Manuel crashed into the back of the family’s SUV, propelling it into a utility pole. Sadly, Ellis and Hughes were declared dead at the scene, while Hughes’ nine-year-old granddaughter sustained injuries but survived.
Witnesses noted that Manuel’s vehicle rolled over, struck a fence, and caught fire following the collision. He was extracted from the wreckage, despite driving with a suspended license. A blood test taken three hours after the crash revealed that his blood alcohol content was .099, exceeding the legal limit of .08.
“This case is a real tragedy, like many DUI-related incidents,” remarked Chief Assistant State Attorney Mark Graham. He expressed sorrow for the families left behind, highlighting the impact of the loss on their lives. He also reflected on Manuel’s situation, noting that a young man with no prior criminal history would be facing decades in prison due to one poor decision.
