Brooksville man sentenced to 15 years for DUI manslaughter
Office of the State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando Counties
Hernando County, Florida - In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Daniel B. Merritt on December 21, 2023, 60 year-old James Daniel Carnley, II, of Brooksville, Florida was sentenced to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections for the driving under the influence manslaughter of 25 year-old Devon Robert Graham on May 15, 2020. On December 1, jurors found Carnley guilty after deliberating for only five minutes.Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando Counties
"Today's sentencing is a solemn reminder that the consequences of DUI cases extend beyond regret - they reach into the shattered lives left in the wake," said William "Bill" Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. "The choices made behind the wheel carry immense responsibility and can have profound consequences."
On May 15, 2020, Carnley exited The Shoppes at Glen Lakes shopping center on Happy Days Lane, turned left onto the 9000 block of U.S. Hwy. 19 North (North Commercial Way) in Spring Hill, Florida, violating the right-of-way of Devon Graham, who was driving a motorcycle and had insufficient time to avoid a collision. The impact propelled Mr. Graham across U.S. Hwy. 19, onto the grassy shoulder. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol's traffic homicide investigation revealed that Carnley's blood alcohol level was 0.125, which exceedied the State of Florida's legal limit of 0.08. Carnley's blood also contained quantities of THC (the acronym for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Robert Lewis. Evidence presented during the trial included the results of Mr. Carnley's lab work and testimony from civilian witnesses, members of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Dr. Bruce Goldberger.