80-year-old Bradenton woman dies in wrong-way DUI crash

MANATEE COUNTY, Fl. — An 80-year-old woman from Bradenton died after being ejected during a crash on Sunday.

The crash happened around 3:30 a.m., January 1st, on US-41 near Buckeye Road. Police said foggy conditions caused limited visibility at the time of the crash.

Troopers said a Hyundai Sonata driven by a 36-year-old Tampa woman was heading north in the southbound lanes of US-41, approaching a Jeep Wrangler traveling south. The driver of the Wrangler swerved left to avoid the collision, but the Sonata hit the right side of the car.

The impact sent the Wrangler onto the shoulder and caused it to flip multiple times. Troopers said the 80-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle before it stopped.

The passenger, not wearing a seatbelt, died at the site of the crash from her injuries. 

The other occupants of the Wrangler – a 58-year-old Sarasota man and a 36-year-old Bradenton woman – sustained minor injuries.

Authorities said the driver of the Sonata was arrested for DUI manslaughter, driving with a suspended license resulting in death, reckless driving, and four counts of DUI with property damage or injury.