Bell man faces DUI charge in fatal motorcycle crash Thursday night in Gainesville
A man from Bell faces charges following a fatal crash involving a motorcycle Thursday night in southeast Gainesville, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Timothy Anthony Muscarella, 54, is currently charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury to another in the death of Johnta Dimitri' James, 30, of Gainesville.
FHP confirmed to The Gainesville Sun Monday morning that Johnta later died at the hospital due to injuries from the crash.
Muscarella was also charged with causing property damage. The State Attorney's Office is still awaiting updated reports before a decision is made on any additional charges.
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The crash
Troopers arrived at the crash scene — Southeast Hawthorne Road at Southeast 45th Terrace — at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday and were notified that Alachua County sheriff's deputies had detained a man they suspected was driving under the influence. Troopers assisted in both the crash and DUI investigations.
Muscarella was driving a white Kia Soul when the crash occurred, while James was driving a blue Suzuki motorcycle.
According to the report, Muscarella initiated a left turn onto Southeast Hawthorne Road and entered the direct path of the motorcycle.
FHP noted that Muscarella failed field sobriety tests and, later during transport, become emotional and had a "strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath."
After being read his rights, Muscarella told FHP he was on his way to a friend's house, and that he had had two or three drinks that afternoon, the report said.
Muscarella refused to submit to a breath test at the Alachua County Jail. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being cleared and returned to jail. His bail, pending an update from prosecutors, is listed at $40,000.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Bell man faces DUI charge in fatal motorcycle crash in Gainesville
