Lake Butler man charged with vehicular manslaughter in 2023 head-on crash that killed a Gainesville woman
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Agelu Iosia Nunu, 23, of Lake Butler, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for allegedly killing a Gainesville woman in an October 2023 head-on crash on State Road 121.
At about 6:15 a.m. on October 28, 2023, Nunu was reportedly driving a Toyota Corolla northbound on SR 121, approaching NW 177th Avenue, and Sonya Rebecca Lindee of Gainesville was driving a Honda Civic southbound on SR 121. A Florida Highway Patrol investigation determined that in heavy fog, the Corolla crossed the centerline and southbound lane, with the driver’s side tires exiting the roadway on the west shoulder. Nunu reportedly overcorrected and entered the northbound lane before steering left again and entering the southbound lane. For an unknown reason, the Civic also left the roadway onto the west shoulder at the same time Nunu crossed into the southbound lane, and the left front of the Corolla collided with the left front of the Honda in the southbound lane. Lindee was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Witnesses reported that Nunu was found in the driver’s seat of the Corolla immediately after the crash and said the fog was so dense that they didn’t even realize Lindee’s car was in the ditch a few feet away until Alachua County Fire Rescue arrived. Witnesses also reported smelling alcohol on Nunu’s breath after helping him out of his car and said his speech was slurred.
A blood test reportedly showed that Nunu had a blood alcohol level of 0.106 g/dL.
At the time of the accident, Nunu had a suspended license and was on pre-trial release with a prohibition against drinking alcohol. According to the arrest report, Nunu received a traffic citation in Georgia in 2021 and failed to appear at the mandatory hearing, resulting in a suspended license. While driving with the suspended license, Nunu was arrested on a drug charge and issued citations for driving without a valid license and having an open container in the vehicle. He was later released with the stipulation of no alcohol or drugs.
Nunu has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving without a valid license after a previous conviction. He has juvenile convictions between 2017 and 2019 and one adult misdemeanor conviction (non-violent). Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $525,000.
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.Â
This happened 2 yrs ago😳, and this guy just getting arrested! So Sad!😢😩
A Foggy Night, Evidence shows both cars left roadway and overcorrected. The manslaughter Charge is not appropriate even with Blood Alcohol levels, he certainly is Guilty of No License, of Driving while impaired, and not someone we want on the road, if it was A Rock Solid Case it would be less then 2 weeks and not 2 years to bring Charges
He shouldn’t have been driving at all, let alone driving drunk. Punish him good and make an example of him.
No one wants to hear it, but unfortunately you are probably right. This will get dealt down if he has a half decent attorney..manslaughter is out since both cars overcorrected at same place and alcohol was not a factor with the other driver. Hopefully loses license for life , and does some jail time, but prison not likely. It is what it is. Both lost control.
The difference is that she veered onto the shoulder on her side of the road. He swerved onto her side of the road. She would never have hit him if he had stayed on his side of the road. 100% his fault.
Paula, both lost control at same place. I’m just saying what will be argued in court by a decent attorney. For both to have it happen same place and time coincidence is highly unlikely. Weather was the common factor,will create doubt as where fault lies. It’s a thin line. Reasonable doubt will most likely play a role.. As I said, ( most likely) he doesn’t convict on a manslaughter. 2 years is a long time. Memories fade, were no eyewitnesses.The only thing for sure is poor weather. It’s a stretch.
7 to 10 in the pen sounds about right.
Once again, a drunk driver gets in a car and murders an innocent person. I cannot conceive of the selfishness it takes for these drunks to completely ignore the safety and rights of other people.
fat ass in a prison.
who would think?
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