Help from a Port St Lucie DUI Lawyer

A 19-year-old man is being held on charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter in St. Lucie County Jail. Police allege he caused an accident that killed a 32-year-old mother, and that he was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time. The man, Ryan Hester, is the son of Chief Deputy Brian Hester, candidate for St. Lucie County sheriff.

The accident occurred on February 7 on Indian River Drive. Ryan Hester was leaving On the Edge Bar & Grill, where he had allegedly consumed 14 mimosas. According to the police report, Hester drove his Ford F-150 southbound at 70mph in the 35mph zone. The report also noted that Hester smelled strongly of alcohol. At the time of the crash, he allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration of at least .13.

Hester allegedly veered into the northbound lane and collided head-on with Claudia Trewyn, who had to be extracted from her vehicle. She was later pronounced dead at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center. Claudia was the mother of a young child.

Hester sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was able to exit his vehicle unassisted. Witnesses on the scene heard Hester say “I [expletive]ed up” in a frantic, drunken state.
Hester voluntarily surrendered himself to police on April 21, over two months after the collision. There had been a warrant out for his arrest. He currently faces one count each of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. With charges this serious, a Port St Lucie DUI lawyer with experience in cases like this is necessary. Hester’s bail was set at $200,000.

Bruce Hester, Ryan’s father and current chief deputy of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office is running for sheriff of St. Lucie county. His campaign released a statement announcing Ryan’s arrest on April 22. They asked for prayers and privacy during this difficult time. Ryan Hester told investigators that he does not want to use his father’s position to avoid punishment and that he believes he should pay for what he did.

Hiring a Port St Lucie DUI Lawyer

In a situation like Hester’s, it is crucial to hire an experienced local Port St Lucie Criminal Attorney. The penalties could be severe without a Port St Lucie DUI lawyer by your side. If you or a loved one are in a similar legal situation, contact Port St Lucie Criminal Attorney Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates, LLC at (772) 489-8501.