Haines City Man Accused Of DUI Manslaughter In Death Of Woman

HAINES CITY, FL — A 43-year-old Haines City man has been charged with DUI manslaughter, driving without a license and other offenses stemming from an Aug. 8 crash that took the life of a female passenger in a Toyota Corolla.

Wilmark Huerta Orozco was also charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving with serious injury.

"The investigation determined he was traveling at a high rate of speed. As he attempted to exit onto East U.S. 17/92, he drove off the right side of the exit ramp, causing the vehicle to slide through the grass for about 100 feet before hitting a pine tree," Haines City police said.

A woman in the car, 38-year-old Maribel Orosco, was charged with witness tampering and resisting arrest after she claimed to have been behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

"Injuries to Orozco's left shoulder indicated they had come from the driver's side seatbelt," Haines City police said. "After initially claiming that she was driving, Orosco told police that Orozco was the driver."

Investigators said Orozco was passed out on the ground about 50 feet away from the crash, which occurred shortly before 3 a.m. near the U.S. Highway 27 exit ramp.

Orosco told police they were coming from Rosie's Sports Bar & Grill prior to the crash. The Corolla split in half after it struck a pine tree tree.

Two passengers were in the backseat, including 30-year-old Blanca Albarran, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

"This is a sad case of complete disregard for the law and the life of others," Haines City Poice Chief Jim Elensky said."We grieve the needless loss of a young woman, who had her whole life in front of her."

Orosco and Orozco were taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and released. The other surviving passenger was admitted to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Detectives say Orozco had a blood alcohol level of .187, which is more than twice the legal limit.