A Brooksville man has been found guilty of a fatal collision that claimed the life of a Weeki Wachee motorcyclist in 2020.
On May 15, 2020, 60-year-old James Daniel Carnley II was leaving the Publix shopping center on Happy Days Lane when he turned left onto US 19 North, violating the right-of-way there. As a result, he collided with a motorcycle driven by 25-year-old Devon Robert Graham, propelling him across US 19 onto the grassy shoulder of the roadway. Graham was pronounced dead at the scene.
A subsequent investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) revealed that Carnley’s blood alcohol level was .125, exceeding the legal limit in the State of Florida and that his blood contained quantities of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active component of marijuana.
A jury found Carnley guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) manslaughter on Dec. 1, 2023. He could face up to 15 years in Florida state prison.
According to Fifth Judicial Circuit Court State Attorney William Gladson, it took the panel just five minutes to reach its verdict.
“This conviction underscores our commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions, particularly when they jeopardize the safety of others through reckless behavior,” he said.
Carnley’s sentencing is slated for later this month.
