Gainesville man charged with vehicular homicide in 2021 death of 13-year-old girl

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Clarence Barton III, 37, has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide for the death of 13-year-old Emily Hoyos following a Newberry road accident on March 14, 2021.

The girl’s family was reportedly traveling from Tampa to Texas for a spring break trip when they stopped at the Newberry road I-75 exit in Gainesville. As they were pulling out of McDonald’s, their car was hit by a Cadillac, injuring multiple members of the family; Emily eventually died from her injuries.

A Gainesville Police Department investigation reportedly gained access to the Cadillac’s Event Data Recorder, which showed that the car was going 103 mph before braking half a second before impact. Post Miranda at the scene, Barton reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the evening and drinking 2-4 beers before driving, but he successfully completed the field sobriety exercises.

Formal charges were filed on August 30, 2022, and a warrant for Barton’s arrest was issued on September 2. Barton is being held on $100,000 bail.

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. 

  • So sad. Was it the marijuana, the beer, a phone distraction, or stupidity? I’m not sure what the law provides if he’s found guilty, but I hope it includes some type of restitution for the death of this young girl and their financial loss also.

    • You really think he has any money I am sure the Cadillac was a welfare Cadillac that you and I help pay for

      • Gh, when we look at statistics, I’m pretty sure us tax payers are paying for you too! You truly sound like a government charity case!

      • I know him personally and he works so he do not receive any type of welfare assistance. You probably don’t have a job yourself and depends on the system

        • Yeah, good hard worker, just likes to smoke pot, drink a bunch of beer and drive 103 mph. 🚗 🍺 🪴 😫

      • You probably live in a trailer park and get food stamps. You don’t pay for your own stuff.

    • Probably has to so with the excessive speed he was travelling at before impact.

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