Melrose man charged with negligent homicide of Starke woman in 2023 accident
Staff report
MELROSE, Fla. – Brandon Reece Howard, 52, has been charged with negligent homicide following an investigation into a September 2023 fatal accident that killed Natasha Puente Borrego, a 42-year-old Starke resident.
A Florida Highway Patrol investigation found that at 6:41 a.m. on September 19, 2023, Howard was driving a pickup truck eastbound at speeds between 98 and 107 mph in a 60 mph zone on State Road 26 while Borrego was driving a Ford Mustang westbound at speeds between 58 and 64 mph. On a curve about 300 feet west of County Road 219A, the pickup truck ran off the road onto the south grass shoulder, still traveling at a minimum speed of 98 mph, then the pickup truck re-entered the eastbound travel lane but rotated and traveled across the center dividing line, hitting Borrego’s car, although she turned her wheel to the right in an attempt to avoid the pickup truck. Borrego was pronounced deceased as a result of the crash.
A trooper who spoke with Howard at the hospital reported that he showed no signs of impairment, and a voluntary blood draw reportedly tested positive for marijuana and cocaine use; medical staff said he had just been administered pain medication, and there was also morphine in his blood.
At the time of the accident, Howard was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed with a canceled driver’s license, had no insurance, and had window tint darker than the legal limit.
Howard has been charged with driving with a suspended license, leading to the death of another person, and negligent homicide. He has five misdemeanor convictions and is facing a sworn complaint for allegedly throwing a beer can at a neighbor in January 2026. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $200,000, the amount set by Judge David Kreider in Howard’s arrest warrant.
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
I think he took “Let’s go Brandon” too far. Again a traffic homicide that still has minimal sentencing. All of this could gave avoided and the victim would still be alive abd there would be no suffering void with her family if he would not have been driving but they treat knowingly driving on a suspended DL, no insurance like he spit on the sidewalk.
Far more severe punishments are needed for people driving without a license and insurance. The courts are too lax on them, and the compensation provided if they are involved in accidents causing damage, injury, or, in the worst-case, death — is practically non-existent.
If fair compensation can’t be gained, why keep the offenders around?
The fix for this is too send native born Americans to Venezuela.
Call it “Natasha’s Law”.
Most all Illegals are driving illegally with no insurance. I hope that you are well-insured including uninsured motorist.
With evidence it should not take 2 1/2 years to bring charges
My question also?? Two whole years!
Between reconstruction of crash, tox reports that have to be court ordered. Traffic Homicide take as long as murder cases sometimes. Sworn complaint in case was filed in September of 2025. Warranty was issued in January of 2026. He was arrested this month. Cops did there job. Blame SAO and court for slow response. Plus it took a month to locate and arrest the POS.
Justice delayed justice denied.
Another 2yrs for case to be resolved?
Is State Attorney Office understaffed?
Will canceling property taxes make it worse?
The young lady that lost her kids in the recent car crash, can not look forward to any arrest for the hit and run driver!