A 47-year-old man who was arrested for driving under the influence in the wrong direction on U.S. Highway 1 has been charged with DUI manslaughter after the driver of the other vehicle passed away from his injuries.
The driver, who was identified as a 20-year-old man from Titusville, was pronounced deceased at Holmes Regional Medical Center on Sunday, October 2.
The 47-year-old man, who was later identified as Bryan Keith Holifield from Leaksville, Mississippi, was arrested after the incident and now faces an upgraded charge of DUI Manslaughter.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident in question took place on Sunday, September 25, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 (State Road 5) and Dairy Road.
Holifield was driving a 2004 Toyota Sequoia northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. Hwy 1, when he struck a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse that was traveling southbound.
Holifield was transported to Parrish Medical Center with minor injuries. His passenger, another 47-year-old man from Leaksville, was transported to the Halifax Medical Center with serious injuries.
The Titusville man was airlifted as a trauma alert to Holmes Regional Medical Center in critical condition at the time. His passenger, an 18-year-old Titusville female, was transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
Police originally arrested Holifield for multiple counts of driving under the influence with serious bodily injury and property damage. After the arrest, Holifield provided a breath alcohol content sample of .169, over two times the legal limit in the state of Florida.
Holifield was released on bond on Tuesday, September 27, according to Brevard County court records.