Driver arrested in fatal wreck that killed soldier

BROOKSVILLE -- A Sumter County man is facing charges of DUI manslaughter for a wreck in April that killed an Army private home on leave.

Driver Rickey D. Scroggins Jr., 23, and three passengers were heading back to Brooksville from an all-night party at 5 a.m. April 27 when he approached the intersection of Powell Road and U.S. 41, reports state.

Prosecutors said Wednesday that Scroggins initially stopped at the red light, but then went through the intersection. He made it through the northbound lanes before a mail freight truck driving southbound on U.S. 41 slammed into the left side of the 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck.

Army Pvt. Andrew Cuthbertson was sitting closest to the passenger door during the collision. He died at the scene. Cuthbertson arrived home after basic training less than 30 hours earlier. He was sitting next to his fiance. The two were expected to set a wedding date while he was home for two weeks.

Scroggins was arrested last week in Hernando County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. His blood-alcohol level was .096, prosecutors said. Florida law presumes a driver is impaired at .08.

Scroggins faces five charges of driving under the influence causing death, serious bodily injury, personal injury and property damage. His is being held in lieu of $83,000 bond.

--John Frank, Times staff writer

Comments

[Army Wife]

I hope he rots in jail!!

[mike]

They were all drunk, and knew the driver had been drinking. He should get a DUI and a ticket for running the red light. Manslaughter shouldn't apply when an equally drunk passenger is equally negligent in his or her decision making.

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[FELICIA]

I KNOW MOST OF THEM INVOLVED AND THEY ALL WENT OUT AND MADE THE SAME BAD MISTAKE. SADLY ANDREW LOST HIS LIFE. I AM TRULY SORRY TO HIM FAMILY.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THEY ALL WERE WRONG, AND NEGLIGENT AND RICKEY IS THE ONE WHO IS GETTING PUNISHED. HE IS TRULY SORRY. IF YOU KNEW RICKEY, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT HE IS A WONDERFUL GUY AND IS DEVISTATED, ANDREW WAS HIS FRIEND TOO. LET'S NOT FORGET RICKEY NEARLY LOST HIS LIFE IN THIS ACCIDENT. AND HE HAS A FAMILY TOO. HE'S A SON,GRANDSON,BROTHER, AND UNCLE.
PEOPLE CLOSE TO ANDREW SAY HE WOULD NOT WANT RICKEY TO BE CHARGED FOR HIS DEATH. HOPEFULLY EVERYONE HAS LEARNED AND UNFORUNATE SAD LESSON.

[wrong]

they were all out having a good time and made the mistake of getting in the truck after drinking but rickey knew he had to drive home he should have known his limits and stopped drinking long before getting into the truck to drive home. he made the decision to drink and drive and he decided to run the red light he should have thought about the consequences of his actions. It was his choice. he should be punished for his actions.