Florida: William Rhodes charged with DUI manslaughter in death of James Gladney

William Rhodes

From The News Herald
PANAMA CITY BEACH — The driver of the truck that killed a pedestrian was not drunk, but he appeared to have difficulty staying awake while he was being investigated, according to an arrest report filed against him by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The misdemeanor DUI charge against William Rhodes, 27, of Panama City, was upgraded Tuesday morning to DUI manslaughter after a trooper assigned to the investigation consulted with prosecutors. Prosecutor Bob Sombathy declined to discuss the case with The News Herald, according to spokesman David Angier.
“The investigators felt that the driver of the vehicle was impaired and placed him under arrest for DUI,” said Lt. Dave Brown with the FHP. “They suspect he was under the influence of controlled substances.”
Troopers arrested Rhodes Sunday night after allegedly driving into 37-year-old James Gladney near the intersection of Joan Avenue and Houston Street.
Gladney was pronounced dead at …MORE