TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police have arrested a man in connection to a deadly crash that left a 26-year-old mother dead on Jan. 3.
Police said Gary Manist, 67, was driving a Dodge Ram 2500 southbound on McKinley Drive while Paige Howard, 26, was driving a Kia Sorento on E. Bougainvillea Avenue and making a left-hand turn. Witnesses said Manist accelerated as the traffic light was changing and hit Howard.
Manist also collided with a Kia Forte who attempted to avoid the first crash and left the road, struck a light pole, and came to rest at the corner of the intersection.
Officials said Manist and his passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a nearby hospital.
Detectives investigated the vehicle's speed since it seemed to be a factor in the crash. Investigators determined Manist was traveling over 100 mph, more than 55 mph above the speed limit.
Police arrested Manist at his home on Jan. 7 and charged him with vehicular homicide.
Brides, families fighting for refunds after event venue closes suddenly
“We’ve struggled so hard to scrape the money to be able to do this for her,” Irizarry said. “She’s my only girl and I wanted this so much for her.”
Couples and families who had weddings and events planned at a well-known venue that abruptly closed claim they’re out thousands of dollars and aren’t being given refunds. Annette Irizarry was supposed to hold her 15-year-old daughter’s quinceañera in August at the Clearwater location and said she’s now out the $6,160 she paid. Without that money, Irizarry said she can’t afford to have her daughter’s celebration somewhere else.
