Panama City Fatal Crash
A 21-year-old man of Panama City, Florida , faces four felony charges due to a DUI-related accident back in February.Mikael Cherry was arrested Thursday and charged with vehicular homicide, and held without bail on a probation violation.
“I’m glad an arrest was made,” says Jerry Lenz, son of the late Paul Lenz. “Yet we have a long way to go as far as charges, and I’m looking forward to see it coming to an end.”
On February 18, workers at a local Applebees phoned police to describe what they saw as an intoxicated young man leaving the restaurant, when a police officer tied to stop the man’s Volvo but failed. Even though the officer following showed his flashing lights, the vehicle continute to speed. By that time the Volvo was swerving on Black Beach Road at around 100 mph. It then slammed into the rear of a 1997 Saturn driven by 62-year-old Paul Lenz. As the Saturn flipped down the freeway, Lenz was killed instantly.
The driver, Mikael Cherry, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, DUI manslaughter with failure to provide aid, leaving the scene of a death-related crash and fleeling and eluding. According to reports, Cherry had no recolection of the night’s tragic events. “With God as my witness, my son doesn’t remember what had happened,” explained Robin Taylor, the mother of Cherry. “He feels so bad he can’t even remember to defend himself.”
The owner of the Volvo, Jason Reid, who was present with Chery during the accident, will not be charged.
Both young men were students at the University of Florida, and their night of tragedy turned out to be a result of a pity party. Cherry had just suffered a breakup with his girlfriend, and felt it necessary to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Little did he know he would face more to drown in. This tragedy will further prohibit them from the enjoyment of college life, with one facing jail time, and the burdened by guilt. As teens they were likely warned of the dangers of drunk driving. As young adults they ignored those warnings based on negative emotions. We must further educate our young adults of keeping their emotions intact by coping skills, and to find alternative ways to express grief, rather than finding relief in alcohol, for with that relief will come strife.
