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Driver charged in quadruple fatal

Kenneth Delmar Stewart faces four counts of DUI manslaughter in connection with the deaths on the eve of a family wedding.

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published April 28, 2006

TAMPA - Deputies have arrested a 34-year-old Lakeland man in connection with a fatal car crash in Brandon that killed four people, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Kenneth Delmar Stewart of Lakeland was arrested Friday afternoon on four counts of DUI manslaughter, two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury and two counts of DUI with property damage, according to investigators.

Stewart was driving a Dodge Durango about 3 a.m. April 21, when the vehicle collided with a Mercedes driven by Emily Manzano, 62, of Brandon. Manzano was killed in the collision. Three of the four passengers in Manzano's car also died. The fourth remains in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital.

Officials had previously said one vehicle ran a red light, but they had not determined which driver was at fault. There were no skid marks at the scene, indicating neither vehicle braked.

Manzano's passengers were in Tampa for her daughter's wedding. Cathy Manzano, 36, of Tampa, was scheduled to be married the following day. The family went ahead with wedding plans, then began to plan for the funerals. Mrs. Manzano was buried earlier today.

[Last modified April 28, 2006, 17:40:45]