A tragic incident involving a drunk driver from Florida has resulted in the death of a mother and daughter, with the perpetrator now facing a 40-year prison sentence. Jacob Manuel, 33, was driving his Dodge Charger at a shocking speed of 130 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone on John Pitts Road in Panama City when he crashed into the family’s SUV, causing it to veer off the road and collide with a utility pole.
The devastating crash, which occurred in May 2022, claimed the lives of Tallulah Ellis, 78, and her daughter Tammy Hughes, 57. Additionally, a 9-year-old girl, Hughes’ daughter, was critically injured in the collision that completely crushed the vehicle. The Chief Assistant State Attorney, Mark Graham, expressed the profound tragedy of the situation during Manuel’s sentencing, emphasizing the irreversible loss suffered by the Ellis and Hughes families.
Surveillance footage revealed that Manuel had visited a bar in Panama City, where he was seen leaving three hours later with an alcoholic beverage in hand. Despite having a suspended license, Manuel proceeded to rear-end the family’s Buick Enclave with his vehicle, causing it to spin off the road, crash into a fence, and burst into flames. While Manuel was rescued from the burning car, Ellis and Hughes were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Subsequent blood tests conducted approximately three hours after the crash showed that Manuel’s blood alcohol level was .099%, exceeding the legal limit of .08% in all 50 states. Facing the possibility of life in prison if convicted at trial, Manuel opted to plead no contest to two counts of DUI manslaughter and DUI with serious bodily injury. As a result, he received a 40-year prison sentence in lieu of a trial, a decision that was supported by the victims’ families who were present in the courtroom.
The plea agreement reached between Manuel and the state prosecutors was accepted by the victims’ families, who acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the impact of Manuel’s reckless actions. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their choices behind the wheel.
