A Lakeland woman who was driving under the influence when she collided head on with another vehicle, causing the death of an 84-year-old woman last October, was arrested today, Polk County Sheriff’s officers said.
40-year-old Audrey Yutzy, formerly of Kimball Road in Mulberry, who has since moved to Lakeland, and who recently recovered from injuries received during the crash, was charged with one count DUI Manslaughter. Deputies received Yutzy’s lab results from FDLE which showed she had a blood alcohol content of 0.159, nearly twice the legal limit, at the time of the crash.
Yutzy, who was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer westbound on Lake Hatchineha Road, near Detour Road on October 11, 2010, crossed the double yellow line and entered the eastbound lane and crash head on into a 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis heading eastbound, driven by 84-year-old Margaret Shaughnessy, of Leisure Road in Mulberry.
Shaughnessy, in the Grand Marquis, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Yutzy’s Explorer flipped and landed on its side. She was not wearing a seatbet and was ejected from the SUV. She was airlifted to LRMC, in extremely critical condition.
Yutzy was arrested today, without incident.
