Palmetto Police said alcohol and blood results could take weeks, but months after the April 1 crash, police finally arrested the driver they say slammed into a couple asleep in their bedroom killing them and their unborn baby girl.
Christian Crawford, 36, was booked into the Manatee County Jail on Wednesday Sept. 23. Police said Crawford cooperated with authorities and their investigation.
On the night of the crash, witnesses said the driver tried to flee the scene immediately after the fatal collision.
ORIGINAL STORY: SUV slams into Palmetto mobile home killing 2 adults and an unborn child https://shar.es/17C42i
Carlos Avilez, 21, and Brenda Avilez, 18, were both killed. They were expecting a child in May.
The vehicle, a Chevrolet SUV, was northbound on U.S. 41 at Seventh Street West. It crossed the median and the southbound lanes of U.S. 41, then crashed through a fence along the east side of Lone Oak Mobile Home Park.
"We were all sleeping when it happened. We just heard the big noise and came outside," said Carlos' brother, Christian.
Crawford was transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries and later released.
"It's tragic. Maybe a foot one way or the other and we wouldn't have three lost lives," said Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler.
Tyler will hold a news conference Thursday morning at 10 a.m. for additional updates on this case.
