JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man is facing felony charges after a May crash on Merrill Road left a 19-year-old dead — and investigators say alcohol and drugs were both factors.
Lawrence Donald, 38, was arrested July 3, on charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage. He was booked into the Duval County jail, with bond set at $160,006 — a combined total across both charges.
Fatal crash kills teen driver
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the crash happened just after 3 a.m. on May 2 on Merrill Road. Investigators say Donald was driving a gold 2010 Toyota Camry eastbound on Merrill Road when he slammed into the back of a silver 2006 Toyota Solara stopped at a red light at the intersection of Wedgefield Boulevard.
The impact pushed the Solara into a utility pole. The driver, Mark Fraley Jr., 19, of Jacksonville, was pronounced dead at the scene by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.
Suspect tells police he came from gentlemen’s club
After the crash, investigators interviewed Donald at the scene. According to the arrest report, Donald said he had been at a Gentlemen’s Club on Beach Boulevard and left around 2 a.m. He told officers he was heading to the Waffle House on Merrill Road but missed the turn and was looking to turn around…