Man faces DUI manslaughter charge in woman’s crash death

The man driving the Dodge Charger that slammed into the back of a vehicle, killing a woman and injuring another, had a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit, according to Orlando police.

Derrick L. Frierson, 46, was charged with driving under the influence and manslaughter, among other charges. Frierson still is at large, police say.

The Dec. 2 crash caused the death of Nitasha L. Bennett and paralyzed Sade S. Butler, according to Orlando police investigators.

Bennett, Butler and two other women were in a Ford Taurus stopped at a light on East Colonial Drive at Mills Avenue about 2 a.m. when Frierson crashed into them.

He was going at least 60 mph, according to police.

Witnesses told police Frierson, who was headed east on Colonial, was trying to pass the Taurus but misjudged and crashed into it.

Officers said there was “ex- treme damage” to the back of the Taurus and the “trunk of the vehicle was almost completely flattened into the rear passenger compartment.”

Emergency crews had to cut the roof off to free Sade Butler.

Bennett stepped out of the vehicle, but then collapsed and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Frierson is also facing charges of DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI with injury, DUI with a blood-alcohol level above .15 and DUI with two prior convictions.

The legal limit for Florida drivers is 0.08.

Bennett left behind three children, ages 10, 9 and 5, and was working as a nurse at a local assisted-living facility, her family said.

Anyone with information about Frierson’s whereabouts is asked to call Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.