Leslie Gehret, a serial drunk driver from Florida, has been sentenced to just over 23 years in prison for a DUI crash that killed a father and son on their way to a college orientation. She entered pleas of no contest to two counts of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, driving with a suspended license, and causing serious bodily injury or death. As part of a plea deal, Gehret was sentenced to 280 months in prison followed by 12 months of probation. The crash occurred in July 2023 and resulted in the deaths of Shane Lloyd, 50, and his son Jakob Lloyd, 19.
After her release on probation, Gehret will need to complete 50 hours of community service and attend DUI school. Additionally, her driver’s license will be permanently suspended. The crash took place in Orlando when the Lloyds’ vehicle was hit by Gehret’s car as she ran a red light. Shane Lloyd died at the scene, while Jakob Lloyd succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Gehret suffered only minor injuries in the collision. Information from her car’s electronic data recorder revealed she was driving at 94 mph upon impact.
Deputies noted that Gehret had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol when they found her at the hospital after the crash. Tests later confirmed that her blood alcohol content was above the legal limit for driving, even five hours after the accident. Gehret was also driving with a suspended license while under probation related to a previous DUI arrest. Prior to the Florida incident, Gehret had racked up three DUI arrests over the past decade and was sued for damages in 2022 for another wreck that caused permanent injury to Alexander Chapman.
Jakob Lloyd, who was on his way to study forensic chemistry at the University of Central Florida, tragically lost his life in the crash. The family of the victims, who were traveling from Colorado to UCF for Jakob’s college orientation, faced the devastating loss of both father and son. The sentence for Gehret’s actions will serve as a form of justice for the Lloyd family and hold Gehret accountable for her reckless behavior. The case underscores the dangers of drunk driving and the devastating consequences that can result from individuals choosing to drive under the influence.
The outcome of this case highlights the importance of strict penalties for individuals who engage in drunk driving, especially in cases that result in fatalities. By implementing significant consequences for those who choose to drive while intoxicated, the legal system seeks to deter others from making similar decisions. The permanent suspension of Gehret’s driver’s license, along with her lengthy prison sentence and probation, sends a clear message about the serious nature of DUI offenses and the impact they can have on individuals and families. Hopefully, this case will serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible and safe driving practices to prevent tragedies like the one that befell the Lloyd family.
