A crash on US Highway 17-92 in Casselberry killed two brothers and sent a third person to the hospital after a driver fleeing from deputies slammed into their vehicle at high speed. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says the driver was suspected of trafficking fentanyl and refused to stop when deputies tried to pull him over.
How The Crash Happened
Deputies attempted a traffic stop in Sanford, about nine miles from the crash site, after identifying a suspected drug trafficker. Instead of stopping, the driver sped south on 17-92, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour at times. Deputies chose not to chase the vehicle on the ground, citing the danger to other drivers, but tracked it by air.
Near Sunnytown Road and Triplet Lake Drive, the fleeing driver struck a gray SUV. The impact killed both men inside. One of the vehicles caught fire, and debris scattered across the intersection. Southbound lanes stayed closed for hours while investigators worked the scene.
The victims were identified as brothers Christopher Marier, 42, and Tyler Marier, 40. Christopher had recently joined the University of Central Florida as an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice. The driver accused of causing the crash was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later booked into jail. Charges remain pending.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Fleeing from law enforcement at high speed is a serious criminal offense in Florida. UnderFlorida’s fleeing and eluding statute, a driver who causes death while fleeing at high speed or with wanton disregard for public safety can face a first-degree felony charge. That criminal case, though, runs on a separate track from any civil claim the victims’ families may have.
A pursuit-related crash often involves more than one potentially liable party. Depending on the facts, a wrongful death claim may reach:
- The fleeing driver, for causing the collision directly
- The driver’s employer, if the vehicle was used for work purposes
- A vehicle owner who knowingly let an unsafe driver use the car
- Any additional party whose negligence contributed to the crash
Sorting out who bears responsibility takes a careful look at the police report, witness statements, and often aviation or dash camera footage.
What Comes Next For The Family
Losing two family members in a single crash brings a level of grief that is hard to describe, and it comes with practical burdens too. Florida’s wrongful death law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for these losses separately from whatever happens in the criminal case against the driver.
Crashes caused by a fleeing suspect are chaotic by nature, and evidence can shift quickly as multiple agencies investigate. Acting early to preserve records and documentation makes a real difference later.
If you lost a loved one or were injured in this crash, or in another pursuit-related collision in Seminole County, you do not have to sort through the aftermath alone. A Winter Springs, FL car accident lawyer families trust can walk you through what accountability might look like in your case.
Presser Law, P.A. represents families affected by high-speed and pursuit-related crashes across Central Florida. Contact us to get started on your case.
