A woman accused of causing a fatal accident in Ocala last week while under the influence of alcohol has been charged with an additional count of DUI manslaughter after a second individual died from his injuries this weekend.
The accident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, at the intersection of N Pine Avenue and NW 20th Street, according to the Ocala Police Department.
OPD stated that two cars – a Honda Civic and Toyota Scion – were traveling northbound on Pine Avenue, near the NW 20th Street intersection. The Honda was in the outside lane while the Toyota was in the inside lane.
At the same time, a woman identified as 44-year-old Tiara Kirkland was heading southbound in the left turn lane of Pine Avenue, near the same intersection, in a Chevrolet Spark.
As Kirkland approached the intersection and attempted to make a left turn onto NW 20th Street, her car crossed into the direct paths of the Honda and Toyota. OPD stated that the Honda managed to avoid the Chevrolet, but the Toyota was struck by it.
After the initial impact, the Toyota rotated and hit the raised median on NW 20th Street, which caused the vehicle to overturn multiple times. The Toyota then crashed into several cars that were parked in a nearby lot.
A passenger in the Toyota, identified as 22-year-old Ethan Reeves, was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as 28-year-old Kedrick Johnson Serrano, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. On Sunday, June 16, he succumbed to his injuries.
Kirkland and the driver of the Honda were not injured, and they refused medical attention.
According to OPD, an officer made contact with Kirkland and “smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage” on her breath. The arrest report stated that her eyes were bloodshot, and her speech was slurred.
After being read her Miranda rights, Kirkland claimed that when she was turning left at the intersection, she “never saw anyone” traveling northbound on Pine Avenue. When asked if she had consumed any alcoholic beverages, she advised that she had “one drink,” according to the police department.
OPD stated that Kirkland agreed to perform multiple field sobriety tests, which she failed. She also provided breath samples that registered blood alcohol content levels of .191 and .186, which is more than twice the legal limit.
Kirkland was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where she is currently being held without bond. She is being charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, according to jail records.
In the days since the fatal accident, friends and family have shared hundreds of comments and posts across social media about Reeves and Serrano, who were friends.
Serrano fought to recover from his injuries at the hospital for days. After his passing, friends and family shared an outpouring of memories and grief on one of Serrano’s social media feeds.
“Man, I just found out about it and I still can’t believe it, bro. I remember like it was yesterday when you were pulling up to my house to play your Xbox ’cause I didn’t have nothing,” reads a comment from Abisai J.
“Auntie will always love you, never forget you. Love you so much. I know you’re with your dad’s mama and daddy,” reads a comment from Cheryl Ann G.
Reeves’ significant other, Luna Spaziano, has set up a GoFundMe to help with her late partner’s funeral expenses.
“Ethan Reeves was an amazing father and husband. He was loved by so many and will be missed forever,” reads a statement on the GoFundMe. “Ethan was such a hard worker, he only wanted the best for his family.”
To contribute to the fund, visit the GoFundMe to support Ethan H. Reeves’ family.
UPDATE: This story was updated to correct the spelling of victim Kedrick Johnson Serrano’s name.