JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Update 12/14/2019: Blake Delapaz waived his appearance in in Gilchrist County court today. He is being charged with nine felonies and two misdemeanors totaling up to a $1 million bond.
Delapaz’s next appearance in court will be on Dec. 26.
Family members who spoke with Action News Jax called Delapaz a “coward” for not showing up to court.
Original Story: An arrest has been made in a June 2018 Gilchrist County crash that killed four young adults from Jacksonville.
The victims were inside a 2006 Chevy Impala on U.S. 129 when it collided with a 2014 Ford Explorer at the intersection of CR 340, according to the FHP report.
Blake Delapaz, the only person in the Chevy Impala who survived, was arrested on Friday afternoon in Jacksonville, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed.
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Delapaz is facing charges of DUI manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, DUI with Serious Bodily Injury and DUI with Property Damage.
Isabella Garcia, 19, Cameron Bell, 18, Hayden Raulerson, 20, and Alysia Littlejohn, 20, were pronounced dead at the scene at the time of the crash, according to FHP.
“We hope that this will serve as a cautionary tale for other young people to avoid driving recklessly and drinking and driving.”
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 13, 2019
Statement from Alysia Littlejohn’s mother. ⬇️ @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/b2WBVtRzRU
Delapaz, now 21, was taken to UF Shands in critical condition. FHP said none of the victims in the Impala were wearing seat belts.
PHOTO GALLERY: 4 young adults from Jacksonville killed in Gilchrist County
Troopers said the group had just left Bob’s River Place in Branford at the time of the crash.
The 28-year-old driver of the Explorer, Aimee Williams of Trenton, Florida, was seriously hurt in the crash.
Newly-released report confirms Delapaz was the driver. Charges: DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, DUI with Serious Bodily Injury, DUI with Property Damage.
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 13, 2019
"Blood tests revealed Mr. Delapaz was under the influence of alcohol at the time of this crash." @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/VguJ7juKRY
Delapaz was booked into the Duval County Jail and is being held on a $950,000 bond.
He faces 11 out of county warrant charges, nine of which are felonies.
Littlejohn’s mother released the following statement:
Today, we were notified of the arrest of Blake Delapaz in connection with the tragic crash that killed my baby Alysia Littlejohn and 3 of her friends last June. It has been a long and difficult wait for the family to learn of the results of the Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation. Although the next couple of months will be difficult, we stand with the other families in seeking justice for the senseless deaths of loved ones. In the blink of an eye tragedy can happen and it’s important for those responsible to be held accountable. We hope that this will serve as a cautionary tale for other young people to avoid driving recklessly and drinking and driving. As well as getting into a car with anyone under the influence. We ask to keep all of our families in your prayers as we travel down this journey for justice.
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