MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Marion County jury reached a swift decision Thursday afternoon, finding 32-year-old Justin Cobb guilty for a 2022 wreck that claimed the life of an elderly woman and left two others with lasting injuries.
After weighing the evidence, jurors convicted Cobb on one count of DUI manslaughter and two counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury.
The charges stem from a June 22, 2022, collision on County Road 42 near Umatilla. Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrived at the scene shortly after 6 p.m. to find a devastating head-on crash.
Investigators determined that Cobb was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Tahoe when he veered directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
That vehicle was driven by 75-year-old Elfriede Meyer, who was traveling with two passengers. The impact was fatal for Meyer; she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passengers suffered substantial injuries and required emergency transport for life-saving medical treatment.
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While speaking with authorities following the crash, Cobb claimed he was navigating a curve in the road when his memory went blank.
However, he made a startling admission to investigators, stating he had smoked methamphetamine the night before the incident and describing himself as a “functional addict.” Later, blood tests processed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that Cobb still had methamphetamines in his system at the time of the fatal impact.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones, whose lives were forever changed by this preventable tragedy,” Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie said following the verdict. “We remain committed to seeking justice for victims and holding those who choose to drive under the influence accountable.”
The prosecution was led by Assistant State Attorneys Adam Smith and Robert Bullara. With the guilty verdicts now secured, Cobb remains in custody awaiting sentencing for the three felony counts.
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