Lakeland, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Thirty six year-old Rodney Schmitz has been arrested for DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide after Polk County deputies received toxicology reports from a January crash. Deputies say Schmitz hit and killed 18-year-old Charles Goode on Knight Station Road in that incident.
It was back in January that Schmitz struck Goode, who was walking west along the roadway with his back to traffic. The crash was witnessed by an off-duty Polk County detective. The detective immediately stopped to render aid and summon first responders. Goode was declared deceased on-scene. Schmitz was uninjured.
Polk County Fire Rescue personnel took a blood sample from Schmitz at the scene, which was submitted to the FDLE lab. The toxicology results were returned to investigators, which showed Schmitz's blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit for impairment. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Schmitz was driving between 58 - 69 MPH in a 40 MPH zone when he struck Goode.
Schmitz is being held in the Polk County Jail on no bond for the DUI Manslaughter charge, and $10,000 bond for the Vehicular Homicide charge.
Photo courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office