Florida DUI manslaughter charges for 15 year old driver

Naples, FL - In March of 2009, tragedy struck in Southwest Florida when a sixteen year old boy was killed in an accident. The driver of the vehicle, then 15 year old Karina Campbell of Naples had an alcohol level of .165, which is more than double the legal alcohol limit for adult licensed drivers.

It is illegal for minors to consume alcohol at all, let alone drive after drinking. If convicted, Campbell faces up to 15 years in jail. However, when you compare this case to Donte Stallworth's, one might surmise that she is likely to get 30 days in jail and a year suspension from school.

"This will be a good test for the justice system in Florida," said Arizona DUI Lawyer Stewart Bergman, who has handled serious vehicular crimes, including manslaughter. "When you look at the Stallworth sentence, it should give her attorneys a pretty compelling argument."

But there are some things that make this case potentially more egregious than Donte Stallworth's case. First is the fact that her victim was young. Second is the fact that he put his trust in her. Third is the fact that she shouldn't have been drinking at all. Fourth is the fact that she was not a licensed driver. And finally, according to reports by the Florida Highway Patrol, she was driving at 70 miles per hour in an 30-mph zone.

There are also reports that Campbell was unremorseful after the accident, and continued to drink, and reports that contradict that. Whatever way you look at this, it is a tragedy for both kids and both families.

We will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.


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