News

Actions

Wrong-way driver had .27 BAC

Posted at 4:25 PM, Mar 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-21 16:58:31-04
Toxicology reports have been released on the driver going the wrong way on the LeeRoy Selmon Expressway that killed a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy.
 
Investigators said Erik Thomas McBeth had a blood alcohol level of .27 at the time of the crash. That is more than three times the legal limit.
 
Deputy John Kotfila, Jr., 30, died from the crash as did McBeth.
 
Kotfila's cruiser was ripped apart on impact.
 
Following the crash, it was learned that Deputy Kotfila slammed into McBeth on purposeto save another driver's life.
 
"He saved my life.  If this deputy had not made a split second decision to pull around me, that would've been me dying," said Sarah Geren.
 
On Friday, thousands gathered for Kotfila's funeral.
 
The investigation continues.