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DUI charge filed in fatal crash

DUI charge filed in fatal crash

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Police Department announced the arrest of a Bradenton man on felony charges related to a Nov. 2 crash that resulted in the death of Sara Danielle Holmes, a 37-year-old mother of two young daughters.

Cesar Navarette, 25, was charged with driving under the influence manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and driving while license suspended causing death or serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony.

According to investigators, Navarrete was driving at an extremely high rate of speed on westbound Cortez Road approaching 43rd Street West at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. He ran a red light and slammed into a Chevrolet Equinox, splitting the vehicle in half.

Holmes, who was in the passenger seat of the Equinox, died as a result of the collision. She was on her way home from her job at Swordfish Grill when the crash occurred.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news that our beloved bartender, Sara, tragically lost her life after being struck by a drunk driver. Sara was so much more than a coworker — she was family,” Swordfish Grill posted on its Facebook page. “Sara leaves behind two young little girls, who will now need all the support they can get. To honor her memory and help her family through this unimaginable time, we’re sharing a GoFundMe link to assist with her funeral costs and to help care for her little ones.”

Navarrete and a passenger in his vehicle, a Nissan Altima, were transported to a hospital for treatment. Police say he showed signs of impairment and the subsequent DUI investigation revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .289, more than three times the legal limit.

Navarrete, who remains hospitalized, was arrested on Sunday on an outstanding Manatee County bench warrant for driving with a suspended license, which was unrelated to this case.

 

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Mother of two killed in crash

Mother of two killed in crash

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez, Featured.

BRADENTON – The 37-year-old mother of two little girls, Sara Danielle Holmes, was struck and killed in a crash by a suspected drunk driver on Cortez Road on the way home from her job at Swordfish Grill Saturday night, Nov. 2.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for funeral expenses and for her two daughters. Donations may be made using the following link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-saras-family-through-this-tragic-time

On Sunday, Swordfish Grill posted the following on its Facebook page:

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news that our beloved bartender, Sara, tragically lost her life after being struck by a drunk driver. Sara was so much more than a coworker — she was family. Her warm smile and kind spirit lit up our restaurant, bringing joy not only to our customers but to every member of our team.

Sara leaves behind two young little girls, who will now need all the support they can get. To honor her memory and help her family through this unimaginable time, we’re sharing a GoFundMe link to assist with her funeral costs and to help care for her little ones.

Please keep Sara’s family, friends, our staff, and all those who loved her in your thoughts. And let this be a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of never drinking and driving. We hope Sara’s story can help prevent another tragedy like this.”

According to a press release, the Bradenton Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the fatal crash involving a suspected drunk driver.

According to investigators, at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Nov. 2 Cesar Navarrete, 25, was speeding westbound on Cortez Road in his Nissan Altima. Navarette ran a red light and slammed into the passenger side of a Chevrolet Equinox that was turning onto northbound 43rd Street West.

The passenger in the Equinox, Holmes, was transported to a nearby trauma center and succumbed to her injuries the morning of Nov. 3. The driver of the Equinox and Navarrete both received non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

BPD arrested Navarrete on an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license. Investigators suspect Navarrete was impaired at the time of the crash and conducted a DUI investigation. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.