A 34-year-old man was arrested nearly 18 months after he allegedly caused an accident while he was driving under the influence that led to the deaths of two female passengers in Kissimmee on Christmas Eve in 2021.
Jerrod Deonta James was arrested by Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Tuesday, May 23 in connection with the fatal crash that took place the Golden Link Hotel (4914 US Hwy 192) on December 24, 2021.
According to authorities, James was behind the wheel of a 2017 Kia Forte that was traveling south through the parking area of the Golden Link Hotel. The vehicle began to rotate and collided with a post, ejecting James and killing 18-year-old Angelina Joline Anderson and 31-year-old Giovanna Danaisha Shacqui Anderson.
Police determined that James was driving while he was intoxicated and an arrest warrant was issued for James on December 19, 2022, nearly a year after the accident.
Local law enforcement authorities had issued multiple press statements asking the public for help to locate James, even offering a $5,000 reward at one point.
James faces two counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, and one count of driving with a suspended license involving death. He is currently being held at the Osceola County Jail.