Man dies months after fatal wreck

MIRAMAR — Critical injuries claimed the life of an 81-year-old man who lost his 74-year-old wife six months earlier in a high-speed collision. Their accused killer is facing a second DUI manslaughter charge as a result.

Brandon Lewis Swanson, 42, was driving 93 mph in a 30-mph zone when his 2018 Audi plowed into a van at the intersection of Southwest 19 Street and 136 Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, according to Miramar police. Authorities retrieved the speed estimate from the Audi’s electronic data recorder.

Van passenger Yelba Ramirez Icaza was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital by helicopter but she died on the way. Nestor Javier Icaza was taken to the same hospital in critical condition. After months of care, he died Feb. 13 in a hospice facility in Miami, investigators said.

The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office determined his death was related to the blunt force trauma he sustained in the collision.

Swanson was also taken to the hospital following the crash for treatment of serious injuries. Results from blood tests taken at the hospital indicated Swanson had a blood alcohol level of 0.14, which is nearly double the state’s legal limit of 0.08, according to the arrest report.

Swanson was arrested Jan. 27 facing charges that include DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and reckless driving. A second DUI manslaughter charge was added Monday. He is being held in the Broward County Jail on bonds totaling $150,000, records show.

A GoFundMe webpage has been set up by their son Javier Icaza to help cover funeral expenses.