Gainesville man charged in May 2020 traffic homicide

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Rashan Lawonus Murphy, 26, has been arrested on charges of DUI with damage to property and DUI homicide related to an accident on May 25, 2020. Zaron Vonshea Brown, 29, was killed in the crash on SW Archer Road.

According to the Charging Affidavit, Murphy was driving a 1997 Corvette with a blood alcohol content of .114 g/mL with Brown in the passenger seat when the vehicle entered the shoulder of the road. They traveled 39 feet before the Corvette hit a mailbox, traveled another 13 feet on the shoulder, and then became airborne. After landing, the car overturned, colliding with four trees and ejecting the passenger. Brown died at the scene, and Murphy had to be extricated from the vehicle by Alachua County Fire Rescue.

Murphy was later found to have marijuana in his system and also had marijuana in his possession.

A warrant was issued on December 28 for Murphy, and his bond was set at $110,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.