TRINITY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man following a fatal crash on Gunn Highway that resulted in the death of a mother and serious injuries to her three children.
Nicholas Betancourt, 33, was arrested on March 13, 2025, in connection with the February 27, 2025, crash that claimed the life of Dana Rivera, 36.
The tragic incident occurred just hours after Betancourt was released from custody following a DUI arrest in Pinellas County.
READ: Duplex Fire In Sulphur Springs: Tampa Firefighters Rescue Birds, Two Civilians Injured
Betancourt was arrested for DUI by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office on Feb 27, 2025, and released at 9:00 a.m. the following day.
Later that same day at approximately 3:45 p.m., driving with a suspended license, Betancourt drove northbound on Gunn Highway, crossed into the southbound lanes, and collided with Rivera’s vehicle.
The crash resulted in Rivera’s death and left her three children – ages 4, 6, and 15 – with serious injuries.
Betancourt, who showed signs of impairment at the scene, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of leg injuries. Detectives later determined that he was under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
READ: Haines City Man Arrested For String of Convenience Store Robberies Across Florida
A search of his vehicle yielded multiple drugs, including methamphetamine, mushrooms, cocaine, MDMA, oxycodone, Xanax, and carisoprodol.
“A mother lost her life, and her children will carry that emotional scar forever. This family’s life was shattered in an instant because of one man’s selfish and reckless decision,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Nicholas Betancourt chose to drive under the influence not once, but twice in just hours, leading to a tragedy that could have been entirely avoided.”
Betancourt faces a slew of charges, including:
- Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter
- Vehicular Homicide
- Multiple counts of Driving Under the Influence with Property Damage or Injury and Serious Bodily Injury
- Multiple counts of Reckless Driving with Serious Bodily Injury and Property Damage or Injury
- Driving with a Suspended License Resulting in Death and Serious Bodily Injury
- Multiple counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Controlled Substances
“Nothing will ever bring their mother back or erase the trauma these children will carry for the rest of their lives, but we want them to know they are not alone. We will stand by them,” added Sheriff Chronister. “We will do everything in our power to ensure this man is held accountable for the devastation he has caused. I hope this arrest brings Dana Rivera’s family some sense of peace and justice.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
