Fatal crash leads to arrest

Woman faces DUI manslaughter charges in death of Delray officer

A woman accused of drunken driving in the crash that killed off-duty Delray Beach Police Officer Christine Braswell has been arrested in Broward County, according to Key West police.

Key West Police had earlier obtained an arrest warrant for 32-year-old Lacy Morris on charges of DUI manslaughter following the April 8 crash that killed Braswell, 40, and critically injured fellow officer Bernenda Marc, 25.

Morris had a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 in the crash, police said, citing drug-test results they obtained this week. The legal limit is 0.08.

Morris also faces charges of DUI serious bodily injury, DUI property damage and possession of marijuana, said Alyson Crean, Key West police spokeswoman.

The crash happened about 1:30 a.m. at White Street and Truman Avenue in Key West.

Morris, of Summerland Key, and Kerby Brown, 43, of Fort Lauderdale, were in a Nissan Altima on their way to get fried chicken when they collided with Marc and Braswell, who were riding a Yamaha scooter, police said.

Witnesses told police the sedan crossed the eastbound lane directly in the path of the scooter, according to an incident report. Investigators found a “shadow mark” from the scooter’s brakes that stretched 20 to 30 feet. They also estimated the scooter was traveling 25 mph, the posted speed limit.

At the time, police said they suspected Morris may have been intoxicated, describing “extremely red, glassy and bloodshot” eyes and a faint odor of alcohol, according to the report.

Morris refused to perform field sobriety exercises or allow a blood sample to be taken and asked for a lawyer, police said.

As everyone waited at the crash scene, a prosecutor obtained a judge’s signature on a search warrant and the blood was taken from Morris. Investigators also said they found a marijuana cigarette on the floor of the Nissan’s driver’s side and smelled its odor emanating from the vehicle.

Morris’ attorney, Evan Hoffman,Hoffman said no one should rush to judgment until all of the evidence has been collected.

“Let’s take everything with a grain of salt,” he said. “There are so many things that could have happened in that accident.”

Judge Peary Fowler signed the arrest warrant, which requires Morris pay a $170,000 bond for release once she’s arrested.

Delray Police declined to comment on the arrest warrant, citing the ongoing investigation.

Braswell