Months after a deadly head-on crash on northbound Interstate 75 near mile marker 153 that killed one adult and two young children, a New York man is now facing felony charges in Charlotte County.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators say the driver’s Jeep crossed the interstate’s grassy median into oncoming traffic while he was under the influence of marijuana, and that Tuesday’s arrest followed an extensive probe into the March 27, 2026 wreck.
Arrest and Charges
Florida Highway Patrol identified the suspect as 28-year-old Ryan Richard Mowdy of Laurel, New York, and said troopers booked him into the Charlotte County Jail, according to MySunCoast. The outlet reports that Mowdy faces three counts of DUI manslaughter, three counts of vehicular homicide, evidence-destruction charges and a marijuana-possession charge.
What Troopers Say Happened
According to investigators, Mowdy was driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler that crossed the grassy median and slammed into a northbound 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, causing catastrophic damage, Gulf Coast News reports. Authorities say the crash killed a 25-year-old North Fort Myers man and two boys, ages 5 and 6, and that Mowdy suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized.
Evidence Recovered
Investigators say that after the collision, the Jeep’s driver removed a small black container from the vehicle and tossed it over a fence into a wooded area. Troopers later recovered the container and found marijuana inside, as reported by WINK News. Florida Highway Patrol has said the investigation remains active while detectives continue processing evidence and completing toxicology and crash reconstruction work.
Legal Process and Penalties
The charges are allegations, and Mowdy is presumed innocent under the law. If he is convicted, the counts he faces carry serious felony penalties. Florida statutes outline enhanced penalties for deaths caused by impaired driving, and a conviction for DUI manslaughter includes mandatory minimum terms and license revocation; see Florida Statutes, section 316.193 for the statutory framework.
Community Aftermath
The crash shut down northbound I-75 for hours and left the local community in mourning in the weeks that followed, according to local reporting. Authorities have not released a court date and are urging anyone with information to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or Charlotte County investigators, MySunCoast notes.
