Woman faces DUI manslaughter charges in deadly crash

Published: Updated:

NAPLES, Fla.- Troopers say a drunk driver crashed into a couple that was stopped on the side of I-75 early Sunday morning, killing a Naples man.

Now, a Fort Myers woman is facing DUI manslaughter charges.

“These are serious offenses,” said attorney Sawyer Smith, who is representing 34-year-old Samantha Robson.

Robson appeared in court Monday afternoon.

“We tried to illustrate for the court that she is not a flight risk, that in fact the actions the evening of this accident illustrate that she’s not,” said Sawyer.

Robson is accused of causing a fatal crash on Alligator Alley near mile marker 98. Troopers say Robson was drunk when she ran off the road and struck a minivan that was pulled over. Two people were outside the van because of car trouble. Troopers say Robson hit the couple, throwing them in the air.

Leandro Benitez, 50, died at the scene and Marcela Ortega, 52, was life-flighted to Lee Memorial Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

“The family is in shock and that’s to be expected,” said Smith. “The family’s thoughts and prayers go out to the victims in this case.”

Robson was arrested for a DUI in Orlando last February. She recently got off probation for it in April.

“There’s a considerable difference between a simple DUI and a DUI that causes the loss of life,” said Smith.

Smith wouldn’t discuss if she was seeking help for that last DUI.  “We’re not going to talk about any of that.”

Robson’s family was in court but did not want to comment.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.