Central Florida Drunk Driver Sentenced for Deadly DUI Crash in Lee County

After nearly a year of litigation and legal red tape, the family and friends of a 79-year-old Fort Myers man can finally feel a sense of closure and justice as the drunk driver responsible for their loved one’s death back in January has taken a plea deal and was sentenced to 13½ years in prison last week.

According to public reports and court records from the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD), it was shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2020, when 37-year-old Lehigh Acres resident Anna Marie Reagan was driving her red 2017 Toyota Corolla in the vicinity of Ortiz Ave and Eastwood Greens Street when her negligent actions resulted in a four-car crash near the intersection.

First responders from the FMPD arrived at the scene of the accident to find the driver of a blue Mini Cooper, 79-year-old David Edwin Donaldson, suffering from critical life-threatening injuries that he sustained during the multi-vehicle pileup. He was in the hospital for approximately 2 months and celebrated his 80th birthday before he sadly succumbed to the severity of his condition and passed away.

At the time of the fatal auto accident, local Fort Myers authorities indicated that Anna Marie Reagan was displaying signs of intoxication, and when field sobriety tests were administered, her blood alcohol level registered twice the legal limit allowed for someone operating a motor vehicle. She was booked into the Lee County Jail without a predetermined bond, although it is believed that she was out on bail as she awaited trial and subsequent sentencing.

After the death of Mr. Donaldson and a lengthy investigation, Reagan was arrested on April 8, 2021, by the Fort Myers Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit on charges of vehicular manslaughter (DUI causing death), driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causing injury, and three counts of DUI property damage. As per the agreement in her plea deal, Reagan was sentenced last Wednesday to 13½ years in a state facility, as well as 2 years of community service, and 3 years of probation.

Since 1977, Florida auto accident lawyer James O. Cunningham has been compassionately representing the families who have lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident. If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact us today at 386-243-4994 to schedule an appointment.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.