An Ocala woman who is accused of rear-ending and killing a young mother on Interstate 75 earlier this year has been re-arrested after her charges were upgraded from DUI manslaughter to vehicular homicide.
Melinda Yvonne Dillon, 35, was arrested on May 6 on a charge vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal accident on I-75 that claimed the life of 22-year-old Jasmine Brown.
After she was arrested on March 22, Dillon remained incarcerated until March 28, when Judge Steven Rogers denied the state’s request to keep her in custody until trial and, instead, granted a defense motion to set bond.
Dillon’s total bond was originally set at $252,000, which included $250,000 for the count of DUI manslaughter and $2,000 for DUI damage to property or persons. Jail records show that the most recent arrest carries a similar bond of $250,000.
After her original detainment in the hours following the fatal accident in March, Dillon provided two breath samples that registered blood alcohol levels of 0.093 and 0.085. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08.
Dillon, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, reported that she has a take home income of $6,000 a month, as well as $2,000 for rental income that she collects.
Marion County court records show that Dillon had an extensive history of traffic-related offenses, including previous convictions for driving without a valid license, careless driving, and multiple speeding violations, one of which involved traveling 20 mph over the limit in a school zone.
In the state of Florida, vehicular homicide carries a maximum punishment of up to 15 year in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to state statutes.
Brown, who was a mother of two young daughters, was pronounced deceased at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital shortly after the collision.
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the late mother’s family and her two daughters (Iris and Lilly) with expenses. That GoFundMe has raised just over $9,000 as of Monday morning.
Friends and family of Brown remember her as a radiant soul who brought infectious laughter and warmth to everyone around her.
A devoted mother who considered her daughters to be the center of her universe, Brown was known for a fiery zest for adventure that was often displayed through her passion for riding motorcycles.
Brown’s reputation for unwavering kindness was well-known in the community and she was described as a selfless individual with a generous heart who would give her last dollar to help someone in need, according to her obituary.
To make a donation to help the family of the late Jasmine Brown, visit the GoFundMe page established on her behalf.