Friday DUI Checkpoint Dedicated to McConnell Family

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies will be out in force Friday in hopes of taking impaired drivers off local roads.

They’ve announced a sobriety checkpoint that will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through 3 a.m. Saturday at the Kenneth City Kmart, 4501 66th St. The checkpoint is being dedicated to the McConnell family of Orlando.

The checkpoint will be staffed by a number of units, all on the lookout for drivers who are alcohol- or drug-impaired behind the wheel. The sheriff’s office Mobile Command Bus will also be set up for breath testing and processing of those who are arrested, an email from the sheriff’s office stated.

“This Friday’s checkpoint is dedicated to Elroy ‘Roy’ McConnell, Elroy ‘Roy’ McConnell III, Nathan McConnell and Kelly McConnell,” the email said.

The father and his three adult sons were killed July 31, 2010, at 22nd Avenue and 9th Street in St. Petersburg.

“Roy and his three sons went to a late movie,” the email said. “On their way back to their beach rental, an impaired driver ran a red light in excess of 80 mph. The impact drove Roy’s new Ford Fusion into a concrete light pole.”

The driver, Demetrius Jordan, suffered a broken leg and his passenger was injured, as well. Jordan’s blood alcohol level was .154, the sheriff’s office said. He is now serving a 44-year sentence.

Photo Credit: A picture of the McConnell’s car courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office