Man was driving nearly 150 mph before fatal DUI crash on Colonial Drive, FHP probe finds
A 27-year-old man who authorities say was driving nearly 150 mph seconds before he struck an SUV in Orange County almost two years ago, killing a woman, was arrested Monday on DUI manslaughter and other charges, records show.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 12, 2020, William Wigton was speeding on State Road 50 in Orange County when he crashed his Ford Mustang into the back of a Jeep Wrangler driven by Glenda Roopnarine, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say debris from the crash also struck a semi-truck, which had been traveling the opposite direction.
Glenda Roopnarine and Imtaz Roopnarine, 53, who was the passenger in the car that Wigton hit, were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where Imtaz Roopnarine died, according to the affidavit. Glenda Roopnarine was left comatose by the crash and suffered severe injuries including several broken bones.
Florida Highway Patrol found blood on the outside of Wigton’s car and the speedometer stopped at 135 mph, according to the affidavit. Tests found the Mustang was driving at least 64 mph above the speed limit at the time of the crash.
Troopers said his speech was slurred and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. A test determined Wigton’s blood alcohol content was 0.109. The legal limit is 0.08.
Wigton faces charges of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and reckless driving with both serious bodily injury and property damage. He is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.
