BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The man Cocoa police said was behind the wheel of a truck when it slammed into a building, killing his best friend in the passenger seat, is now behind bars.
The fatal crash happened a year ago on U.S. 1 and State Road 520.
It took a year to make an arrest because investigators were waiting on DNA evidence that put the suspect behind the wheel.
Taresa Worley wiped the tears from her face as she watched Cody Gates, 27, face a Brevard County judge Thursday from a separate room in the Cocoa Police Department.
“Darryl was a good man. He was good father,” said Worley.
Gates was arrested Wednesday night a year to the day of the fatal crash. %
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Police said he crashed a truck into a building, killing Darryl Millelot, who was in the passenger’s seat.
“I understand both sides of the story. I just wish that Cody would have been a best friend and admitted to what happened,” Worley said.
After finding Millelot dead at the scene of the accident, officers said they pulled Gates from the truck that night with a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit.
Investigators learned the two best friends had been drinking throughout the day and ran up a bar tab over $100 in Cocoa Beach.
Worley clutched the teddy bear belonging to the young child she shared with Millelot.
“We talk about it. We talk about him. We talk about memories,” she said.
Worley said knowing Gates could face up to 15 years if convicted isn’t going to be easy for his family either.
“I don't wish that on anybody because he does have kids and one on the way,” she said.
Gates remains in the Brevard County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
He faces a charge of DUI manslaughter and property damage.
Cox Media Group
