CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – Carol Lynn Tomlinson, 68, was sentenced Monday to 124 months in the Florida Department of Corrections for her 2021 Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter case.
Tomlinson pleaded guilty to Driving under the Influence Manslaughter and one count of Driving Under the Influence Impairment with Property Damage.
“The tragic consequences of driving under the influence are undeniable,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “The verdict in this case reaffirms that we are responsible for every choice we make behind the wheel, and those reckless decisions can have multiple resounding consequences.”
Read: Florida Man Caught On Camera Carjacking, Murdering Woman Now Faces Death Penalty
According to court documents, on July 4, 2021, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Castiglione responded to a vehicle accident near the intersection of South Fireside Way and West Grover Cleveland Boulevard in Inverness.
Tomlinson’s vehicle collided head-on with the other vehicle, causing serious injuries to both Tomlinson and the passenger in her vehicle, later identified as her husband, Larry Tomlinson.
Fortunately, the driver of the other vehicle Tomlinson crashed into was not seriously harmed.
Trooper Castiglione, who was the traffic crash investigator, observed obvious signs of impairment, where Tomlinson was slurring her speech, had bloodshot and glossy eyes, as well as an odor of alcohol. Tomlinson admitted post Miranda that not only had she been driving, but she had been drinking earlier at a BBQ just shortly before.
Read: FBI: Reward Offered In Florida Unsolved Murder Of Innocent 15-Year-Old Nykeria Simmons
During the investigation, Trooper Dokendorf learned that Tomlinson, who was driving a Chevrolet Camaro, was traveling northbound on South Fireside Way, approaching West Grover Cleveland Boulevard. Tomlinson made a wide right turn onto West Grover Cleveland Boulevard, entering the opposite lane, directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Tomlinson and her husband, Larry, were transported to the hospital for treatment. A blood sample was taken from Tomlinson and sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing. The sample came back with a blood alcohol level of 0.167 and 0.166. Additionally, Tomlinson’s husband passed away eight days later due to the injuries sustained in the accident. Tomlinson was subsequently arrested and charged.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Blake Shore.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.