Update on the Leyritz Situation

From ESPN:

Leyritz pleaded not guilty Thursday to a recently added charge of DUI manslaughter by unlawful blood-alcohol levels. He previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of DUI manslaughter with impairment in the death of Fredia Ann Veitch. Leyritz faces 15 years in prison if convicted.

While awaiting trial, Judge Marc Gold has ordered that Leyritz stay away from drug and alcohol. To prove he is following orders he must take three breathalyzer tests a day.

Along with this comes news that the victim, Fredia Ann Veitch, was also driving under the influence at the time of the accident. The New York Post reported today that “sources close to the case” said Fredia Ann Veitch had a .08 blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident, which is the state's legal limit.

Anything .08 or higher is considered DUI, driving under the influence, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.

Broward County Assistant State Attorney Stefanie Newman said she "couldn't comment until the toxicology reports are released in seven to eight days."

I wouldn't want to see people start blaming the victim here, especially people like Leyritz's defense team. But you know they're going to. According to witnesses he ran a red light causing the accident and therefore it's his fault. Leyritz also had a history of being a menace on the road, raking up violations everywhere he got behind the wheel.

UPDATE 2/2 - On Friday the toxicology report was released, it showed that the victim, Fredia Ann Veitch, actually had a blood-alcohol level of 0.18, more than double the legal limit.

"It doesn't affect the cause of the crash because he ran a red light," Assistant State Attorney Stefanie Newman said.

Leyritz's attorney, Mike Dutko, told the AP that the this info could change the way the prosecution proceeds.

"Pre-crash conditions and circumstances become terribly, terribly relevant," Dutko said. "There's a lot that needs to be investigated, analyzed and evaluated here."