Dad and son on college orientation trip killed in crash with DUI suspect, Florida cops say

A 19-year-old man and his father died on a college orientation trip after a DUI suspect crashed into their car, officials said.

Jakob Lloyd — a bass player who dreamed of becoming a lawyer — was visiting the University of Central Florida with his father, Shane Lloyd, when tragedy struck, according to news outlets and his former Colorado high school.

“A father was there to take his son to college orientation so he can start his adult life,” Brandy Bowden, the 19-year-old’s aunt, told WKMG. “It was ripped away.”

Now, a woman accused of being impaired during the crash is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. The Florida Highway Patrol in a news release didn’t list attorney information for the woman, identified as Leslie Madeleine Gehret.

Troopers said the crash happened at about 1 p.m. Sunday, July 9. It was reported at an intersection in Orange County, roughly 5 miles southwest of UCF’s Orlando campus.

Highway Patrol said two people were in Kia Soul as Gehret was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee in the same area. The Jeep reportedly barreled through a red light and hit the car, causing it to flip over, troopers said.

“I immediately put the car in park and ran there, and my fiancee called 911,” witness Chase Woodburn told WOFL.

Despite the efforts of bystanders, troopers said the Kia’s 19-year-old passenger died at the scene, and its 50-year-old driver was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The two people in the Kia were identified in news reports as the Lloyds of Windsor, Colorado, roughly 55 miles north of Denver. The tragedy left people in the area “devastated and heartbroken,” according to a Twitter post from the Fossil Ridge High School football team.

The team said Jakob Lloyd was an athlete who “participated in football, wrestling, and lacrosse.” It planned to collect donations for the 2022 graduate’s family and is scheduled to host a gathering in his memory.

Meanwhile, 50-year-old Shane Lloyd is remembered in news reports as an electrical engineer who was a husband and father to three sons.

“He was like the one we all looked up to and aspired to be and make proud,” Bowden told WFTV. “He was my hero.”

In addition to vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter, troopers said Gehret was charged with DUI third violation in 10 years, “driving with a suspended license causing death” and probation violation. The 40-year-old Orlando resident suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to the Orange County jail.

“She’ll be forgiven and her family will be in our prayers too, because like I said it’s not just our family that’s hurting, her family’s gonna hurt too,” Shannon Brown, a sister of Shane Lloyd, told WOFL.

An investigation into the crash continues, Florida officials said.

What to know about impaired driving

In 2020, nearly 12,000 people were killed in car crashes that involved drunk drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 30 people die each day in crashes where a driver is believed to be drunk, the CDC reported.

“Safe driving requires focus, coordination, good judgment, and quick reactions to the environment,” the CDC said. “Any alcohol or other drug use impairs the ability to drive safely.”

A person’s blood alcohol concentration can be measured, and the legal limit for driving in most states is 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter. Experts, however, say even lower levels of alcohol concentration can cause impairment.

The CDC says everyone can help prevent drunk driving with these steps:

• Don’t let friends drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

• Don’t ride with an impaired driver.

• If you’re hosting a party, remind guests to plan ahead.

• Arrange alternative transportation or have a designated driver.

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