FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | Erin.Maloney@sao13th.com
TAMPA, FL (October 6, 2023) — A judge has sentenced Mario Gonzalez to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of DUI manslaughter. Gonzalez caused a crash on Interstate 75 near SR-60 in Hillsborough County that killed his passenger and her unborn child.
The investigation revealed that Gonzalez showed indications of impairment during a field sobriety test and was observed dozing off just after the crash. He was found to have methamphetamine, amphetamine, and fentanyl in his system after further testing was conducted. Gonzalez’ prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of probation.
“This defendant made several reckless decisions that lead to the death of a young mother and her unborn baby. He will now have decades in prison to think about his selfish actions and how they have impacted the family of our victims. These deaths were entirely preventable, and this lengthy sentence should serve as a deterrent to others who would make such dangerous decisions,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:
- Twitter: @HillsboroughSAO, @SuzyLopezSA
- Instagram: @HillsboroughStateAttorney
- Facebook: @HillsboroughSAO
About the State Attorney’s Office
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The office staff consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.