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Letter to the editor

Out of hospital, man charged in woman's death

The Largo man was found to have cocaine in his system after a three-car crash on July 17.

By MIKE DONILA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 1, 2007

For more than a month, Ron Tuttle waited.

The man accused of killing Tuttle's wife in a car crash had been at Bayfront Medical Center since July 17, recovering from a compound leg fracture.

On Friday, Tuttle finally got some relief. Just hours after John Houts, 48, was released from the hospital, Largo police charged him with DUI manslaughter, two counts of DUI serious bodily injury, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Houts, of Largo, is being held in the Pinellas County Jail on $300,000 bond.

Largo police Sgt. George Edmiston said a blood test showed Houts tested positive for cocaine. A pipe "consistent with crack use" was also found in his car, Edmiston said.

Rose Marie Tuttle, 61, died in the three-car crash that also left three others seriously injured. She was traveling north on 101st Street in her silver 2007 Toyota Camry a little after 6 p.m. when she was hit by Houts' 2005 Mercedes-Benz.

The impact forced Tuttle's car into the path of a 1992 Mazda Miata headed south on 101st Street. Tuttle's car flipped onto its roof.

The Mazda's driver, Cynthia R. Boyvey, 53, and her passenger, Allen J. Brown, 45, both of Largo, suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital. They have since been released.

Tuttle worked for Pinellas County schools in the payroll department, her family said. She loved playing racquetball and spending time with her four grandchildren.

Ron Tuttle, who was married to her for 43 years, says he's slowly recovering. He spends his days with the "legal stuff," paying the bills and making coffee - things his wife used to do.

"If I sat here feeling sorry for myself at night and looking at her picture every minute, I'd go nuts," said Tuttle, 61, who installs and inspects fire alarms for a living. "The length of time we were married - it's a weird feeling without her, being by myself with no leadership, no direction."

Tuttle said he's concerned about his grandkids, ages 7 to 12. He said they always ask about their grandmother. The youngest, he said, wanted to send a balloon to her, hoping it would reach her in heaven.

"I think eventually everyone will be OK," Tuttle said. "But right now it's tough."

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 22:15:34]