TAMPA, Fla. – A Pasco County man has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide following a fatal crash that occurred earlier this month.
Gary Manist, 67, was taken into custody by the Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, January 7th.
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The crash occurred on Friday, January 3rd, around 9:44 AM at the intersection of East Bougainvillea Avenue and McKinley Drive. It involved three vehicles: a Kia Sorento, a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck, and a Kia Forte.
According to witnesses and roadway evidence, the Kia Sorento was making a left turn from northbound McKinley Drive onto westbound Bougainvillea Avenue when the Dodge Ram, driven by Manist, sped through the intersection as the traffic light was changing.
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The driver of the Kia Forte took evasive action to avoid hitting the Sorento, but the Dodge Ram collided with the Sorento. The Forte veered off the road, striking a light pole before coming to rest.
Tragically, the driver of the Sorento, an adult woman in her mid-30s, died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the Forte was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.
Manist and his passenger were also transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
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Investigators determined that excessive speed was a major factor in the crash. Evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that Manist was driving his Dodge Ram at over 100 mph – more than 55 mph above the posted speed limit – just prior to the collision.
Manist was arrested at his home without incident and is currently being held in the Pasco County Jail. He is charged with one felony count of vehicular homicide.
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