Rene Miles convicted in DUI manslaughter case

NAPLES, Fla. Rene Miles, accused of driving drunk when he hit and killed a father of four in December 2015, was convicted Tuesday of DUI manslaughter and other charges.

Jurors deliberated more than 12 hours. The Golden Gate Estates resident faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison. Miles plans to appeal.

Miles, 40, was accused of killing Cecil Riner, 33, who was driving on Golden Gate Boulevard near 27th Street Southwest en route to a holiday party with his wife. Police said Miles hit the car in front of him. That car collided with Riner’s van, flipping the van onto its roof.

“He’s going to jail for a long time,” Riner’s widow told one of their four sons after the verdict was read.

A toxicologist testified that Miles had about eight and a half drinks before the crash. Miles’ attorney argued that while his client was drunk at the time, he did not cause the crash.

A mistrial was nearly declared last week after footage of Miles’ actions following the wreck were played in court. An edited version was later played for jurors, who received the case on Monday.

Miles was found not guilty of leaving the scene of the crash but convicted on the four DUI-related charges he faced.

He is due in court for sentencing August 14.

WINK News reporter Olivia Mancino heard more from Jessica Riner, the widow of Cecil Riner:

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