Teenager faces DUI charge from fatal crash in October

By THOMAS LAKE, Times Staff Writer
Published February 2, 2008

PLANT CITY - A teenager was charged with DUI manslaughter Friday in an October crash that killed one person and injured eight others.

Steven Andrew Watkins, 18, a lawn-care worker from Plant City, was arrested by Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies on charges that also included vehicular homicide.

The crash happened about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 near Knights Griffin and Pless roads, authorities said. Watkins was driving a 1999 Mercury and turned left into the path of an oncoming Dodge.

Angelia Artelis, 17, of Brandon died in the crash. Britney Street, the driver of the Dodge, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Seven others, including Watkins, were injured. One victim had broken bones and internal injuries, according to an arrest report. Another victim had a broken collarbone and broken teeth, while a third suffered broken vertebrae and cuts to the face. Other injuries included broken ribs and a broken elbow.

Watkins, a deputy said, had glassy eyes and smelled like alcohol. About three hours after the crash, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.038. A toxicologist estimated that at the time of the crash, his blood-alcohol level was between 0.07 and 0.11, near or above the level at which state law presumes impairment.

Watkins of 3501 Knights Griffin Road, whose charges also include reckless driving and possession of marijuana with intent to sell, was held without bail Friday afternoon at the Orient Road Jail.

[Last modified February 1, 2008, 23:28:30]