[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”115px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-76px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||-85px||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

A 19-year-old man is facing felony charges for the deaths of three people, including a 16-year-old boy, in a crash last month in Port St. Lucie, police said Wednesday.

At a news conference, Port St. Lucie Police Chief Richard Del Toro stated that Dylan Ray Boully, of Okeechobee, was driving a Dodge Ram 1500 under the influence of alcohol at approximately 11:30 p.m. on March 15 when he veered off Southeast Veterans Memorial Parkway and collided with a tree.

Dylan Ray Boully, 19, is facing three counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury due to the fatal March 15, 2024 crash in Port St. Lucie.

Police reported that Leah Herman, 20, of Port St. Lucie; Jimmy Brown, 18, of Okeechobee; and Draiden Frank, 16, of Port St. Lucie, died in the crash. Boully and another passenger, Lia Maria Tucker, 17, were injured and taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.

Del Toro indicated that Boully’s blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was more than twice the legal limit, and he was “recklessly speeding” at around 80 mph, which is double the posted speed limit, when he lost control on a curve.

Before the crash, the five young adults stopped at a Kwik Stop convenience store in Jensen Beach, where they bought a 12-pack of twisted teas and an alcoholic drink. The store is under investigation for allegedly selling alcohol to someone under 21, potentially multiple times.

Boully was taken into custody on Tuesday by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.

“While the arrest of Mr. Boully will not bring back the three victims that died that night, I hope that his arrest will be the first step in the healing process for the victims’ family and friends as Mr. Boully is ultimately held accountable for his actions,” Del Toro said.

Boully is currently held in the Okeechobee County Jail on a $320,000 bond and faces serious charges including three counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.

Possible Maximum and Minimum Penalties

The charges against Boully carry severe penalties:

• Vehicular Homicide: This charge could result in a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison per count, along with fines and loss of driving privileges.
• DUI Manslaughter: Each count could result in up to 15 years in prison, a minimum of four years of mandatory imprisonment, substantial fines, permanent revocation of the driver’s license, and mandatory community service.
• DUI with Serious Bodily Injury: This charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison per count.
• Reckless Driving Causing Serious Bodily Injury: This charge also carries a maximum of five years in prison.

If convicted on all counts, Boully faces potentially decades in prison.

Possible Defense Strategies for Dylan Ray Boully

Given the serious nature of the charges, Boully’s defense attorneys might consider several strategies:

1. Questioning the Evidence of Intoxication

The defense could challenge the accuracy and handling of the blood alcohol content (BAC) tests:

• Procedural errors: Arguing that the BAC test was not administered properly or that the samples were mishandled, which could invalidate the results.
• Alternative explanations: Suggesting that factors other than alcohol could have contributed to the high BAC readings, such as medication or medical conditions.

2. Disputing Reckless Driving Claims

The defense might argue that the speed and manner of driving were not as reckless as claimed:

• Mechanical failure: Suggesting that a mechanical defect in the vehicle contributed to the crash rather than reckless driving.
• Environmental factors: Pointing out poor road conditions, insufficient signage, or other external factors that could have caused the accident.

3. Causation and Contributory Negligence

The defense could argue that factors other than Boully’s alleged actions contributed to the fatalities:

• Contributory negligence: Asserting that the passengers’ own actions, such as failing to wear seatbelts or encouraging risky behavior, contributed to their injuries and deaths.
• Alternative causes: Introducing evidence that another vehicle or an unexpected road hazard played a role in the crash.

4. Challenging the Charges

The defense might seek to reduce the severity of the charges:

• Negotiating lesser charges: Arguing for a plea deal that reduces the charges from felony counts to lesser charges, such as reckless endangerment or misdemeanor DUI.
• Insufficient evidence: Contending that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Boully’s actions meet the legal definitions of the charges, particularly vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.

5. Mitigating Circumstances

The defense might present mitigating factors to seek reduced penalties:

• First-time offender: Emphasizing that Boully has no prior criminal record and that this incident was out of character.
• Personal circumstances: Highlighting any personal issues or stressors Boully was facing at the time of the incident, which might elicit some sympathy from the court.

In Summation

The case against Dylan Ray Boully involves serious charges that could result in substantial prison time if convicted. His defense team will need to employ a comprehensive strategy that challenges the evidence of intoxication, disputes claims of reckless driving, and introduces mitigating circumstances to seek reduced charges or penalties. The effectiveness of these defenses will play a crucial role in the outcome of the case.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]