Man sentenced to 9.5 years in prison in Charlotte County as habitual DUI offender

A 31-year-old man was found guilty of DUI with injury following a two-day trial in Charlotte County in July and faced sentencing Tuesday.

Edgar Keller Jr. was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison as a Habitual Felony Offender, followed by 6 months of probation, for one count of DUI with Serious Bodily Injury.

His driver’s license was also suspended for one year. Keller must also pay court costs, a $500 fine, and attend a DUI school which includes substance abuse counseling.

The crime happened on February 3, 2018. The defendant was driving the wrong way on Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda and crashed head-on into a car at the intersection of E. William Street. The victim in the other car suffered serious injuries.

A blood draw was taken from the defendant and a toxicology report indicated there were four different controlled substances in his system, including methamphetamine.

Assistant State Attorney Garrick Soja and Assistant State Attorney Caitlin Sorenson prosecuted the case.