An Altamonte Springs man is now facing two counts of DUI manslaughter after police say he caused a three-vehicle crash in February that killed two women. Investigators say the driver crossed a median and hit a family’s Honda SUV after an initial collision, a sequence that has left the community shaken. The suspect is being held without bond at the county jail while the case moves forward.
According to WFTV, officers responded around 7:32 p.m. on Feb. 17 to the intersection of East Altamonte Drive and Hermits Trail. Investigators say 33-year-old Guillermo Mario Rojas was driving a Jeep Gladiator westbound when he first collided with a Dodge Durango, then lost control, crossed the median, and crashed head-on into a Honda SUV. Two women inside the Honda, who were family members, suffered critical injuries and later died from the crash.
The department’s Traffic Homicide Unit determined that speed was a contributing factor, and toxicology results indicated Rojas was impaired at the time of the wreck, WFTV reports. Detectives secured an arrest warrant and took Rojas into custody on June 5, transporting him to the Seminole County Jail, where he is being held without bond. In a statement shared by authorities, the Altamonte Springs Police Department extended condolences to the victims’ family and wrote, "This tragic crash serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving."
Impaired Driving in Florida
Florida’s annual crash reports show that alcohol-confirmed collisions remain a persistent threat on state roads. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2023 Traffic Crash Facts report, the state recorded 5,132 alcohol-confirmed crashes and 363 alcohol-confirmed fatalities in 2023. Those figures provide a sobering backdrop to local cases where speed and impairment are listed as contributing factors.
What the Charges Mean
Rojas has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter, a felony charge that accuses a driver of causing a death while operating a vehicle under the influence. Under Florida law, outlined in F.S. 316.193, DUI-related deaths can be prosecuted as felonies and can bring prison time and license revocation, although the specific penalties depend on the final charges and any prior convictions. The case is expected to move through the Seminole County courts as prosecutors review the investigative file.
Altamonte Springs police say the investigation that led to the arrest involved crash reconstruction work and toxicology testing. The department also reiterated its focus on enforcement, education, and community partnerships aimed at preventing similar tragedies on local roads.
