Driver faces homicide charge after crash that killed 19-year-old Winter Garden man, troopers say

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A 19-year-old man was killed Monday when a driver fleeing deputies crashed, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a report, a deputy was trying to pull over Wilvenson Darius, 23, after Darius allegedly ran a red light in his Ford Mustang at U.S. Highway 27 and Washington Street in Minneola.

“At that point, the deputy attempted to pull this car over and the car refused to stop, and just continued going,” said Lt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy ended the pursuit once it reached the Orange County line.

Darius crashed into another vehicle about a half-mile down on Oakland Avenue, deputies said.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said Darius turned left from Colonial Drive onto Oakland Avenue, lost control into the opposite lanes, and hit another driver head-on.

The driver of the other vehicle, Carlos Santiago,19, died.

Other drives were backed up for miles, well into the Monday morning commute.

“I still think the police officers have to do their job. If there was chasing, it was for a good reason,” said driver Larry Cook.

Deputies reported finding a handgun in Darius' vehicle, and said along with a suspended license, he has active warrants for his arrest on traffic charges.

Darius was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, felony homicide and negligent manslaughter.

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