Clifford James Berry, 52, from Trenton, was taken into custody and accused of causing a fatal accident involving a woman near Melrose on February 19, 2022.
According to witnesses who spoke to a Florida Highway Patrol Officer, Berry was driving in a reckless manner on State Road 26, west of Melrose.
He was seen swerving across the road’s lines multiple times. He also passed another vehicle on the grassy shoulder, hitting the side of her vehicle in the process, and did not stop.
Several witnesses stated that he crossed into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with the victim’s car, resulting in her tragic passing near County Boat Ramp Road.
Berry willingly provided blood samples, which revealed the presence of THC, the active component of marijuana, along with another byproduct of marijuana use.
However, a doctor stated that there wasn’t enough clear evidence of impairment to conclusively support a finding of acute impairment.
In August 2023, Berry was formally charged with vehicular homicide due to reckless driving, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was apprehended yesterday.
Berry has a history of 16 felony convictions, none of which were violent offenses. He previously served a prison sentence for burglary and was released in 1993.
Judge Walter Green set bail at $250,000, which was the amount specified on the warrant signed by Judge David Kreider.
