Driver charged with DUI manslaughter in Walton wreck
July 04, 2006
By Gwen Break, The Sun
Jesus Bernal Rangel, 32, of DeFuniak Springs, is charged with three counts of DUI manslaughter and two counts of serious bodily injury as the driver involved in a June 24 wreck that killed an Ohio couple and a male passenger in the Rangel vehicle.
A July 2 report by the Florida Highway Patrol said Rangel, who was originally identified only as Jesus Bernal, was booked into the Bay County Jail with no bound and is awaiting extradition to Walton County.
James D. Rook, 43, and Margie L. Rook, 41, both of Cincinnati, Ohio, were killed when their car was struck head on by a Ford F150 pick-up driven by Rangel on the north side of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on U.S. Highway 331 shortly before 5 p.m.
According to the original report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol, the Rooks were southbound on 331 the Rangel vehicle crossed the center lane into the path of the Rooks? vehicle.
Rangel was taken by air ambulance to Bay Medical Center in serious condition.
Trooper R.M. Miller, who investigated the accident, reported that the Rangel vehicle went onto the right shoulder after passing another northbound vehicle. In his attempt to get back on the pavement, he overcorrected and crossed into the southbound lane.
Also killed was a 29-year-old passenger in the Rangel vehicle. His name still has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Magan Doherty, 14, also of Cincinnati, a passenger in the Rook vehicle, was seriously injured and taken to Gulf Coast Hospital in Bay County. She has since been transferred to a Cincinnati hospital.
Kylie P. Rook, 14, Cincinnati, daughter of the couple, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Twin Cities Hospital, where she was treated and released.
The couple?s son and stepson, Chris Rook, 22, was driving another vehicle behind his parent?s vehicle and witnessed the accident.
James Rook had worked at Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati for about 15 years. He was also drummer for a local band, Fast Forward. Fans and friends were posting messages on the band's Web site,
www.thefastforwardband.com
Rangel and his passengers are employees of Apec Concrete Co. of Atlanta.