BUSHNELL – Two women were pronounced dead after a collision with a drunk driver on I-75 in Bushnell Monday morning according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.
Alexa White, 23, and Juliette Connally, 50, were traveling southbound in the center lane near mile marker 318 just north of the Bushnell exit in their 2011 Hyundai Sonata when they were struck from behind by 30-year-old Robert Anthony Benton.
Benton was reportedly under the influence while he was driving his 2013 Ford Explorer in the southbound lane of I-75 behind White.
According to the report, Benton was traveling at high speeds and overtook White, colliding with the rear of her vehicle and causing her vehicle to leave the road and come to a stop after striking a tree along the shoulder of the road.
White was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Connally was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead as a result of injuries suffered during the incident.
Both White and Connally were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Benton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, two counts of negligent DUI Homicide, two counts of vehicular manslaughter, and two counts of driving while license suspended resulting in death.
He is currently being held at the Sumter County Jail without bond.
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