Man arrested for vehicular homicide in September Hendry County crash

A 32-year-old Clewiston man was arrested Monday in connection to a fatal wreck in Hendry County back in September 2019, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Larry Gerome Willis was arrested for vehicular homicide as well as driving with a suspended license.

On Sept. 7 around 1:48 p.m., Willis was headed eastbound, negotiating a curve on State Road 80, west of County Road 833. At the same time, 26-year-old Francesca M. Antoine of Bradenton was headed westbound negotiating a curve on State Road 80, to the east of Willis.

Willis then attempted to pass slower-moving traffic in a no-passing zone and both he and Antoine swerved toward the north shoulder to avoid a collision.

The front of Willis’ 2005 Dodge Caravan struck the left side of Antoine’s 2016 Kia Rio. Willis’ vehicle rotated counterclockwise following impact and came to an uncontrolled stop int he westbound land of SR 80 facing north.

Antoine’s car continued north over an embankment and came to an uncontrolled stop off the roadway facing north.

Antoine sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Willis sustained serious injuries and his passenger was uninjured.

All three involved in the wreck were wearing seatbelts.