Man jailed in traffic death of woman returning from dropping great-grandson at soccer camp
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A 19-year-old man was arrested on a vehicular homicide charge in connection with a high-speed crash last year that resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman, according to recently-released records.
Derrick Tyrone Lamb, who has listed addresses in Fort Pierce, was arrested Wednesday on the felony charge after a Florida Highway Patrol investigation into the June 17, 2021, crash that killed Patsy Joyce Terry, records state.
The crash happened about 11:05 a.m. in northern St. Lucie County in the area of Old Dixie Highway and Julian Drive, just east of U.S. 1.
Before Lamb, who had a passenger, crashed the 2019 BMW i8 with Terry’s 1998 Toyota Camry, investigators reported Lamb fled from Vero Beach police and Indian River County Sheriff’s deputies.
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Investigators reported the BMW at times went the wrong way on a one-way street, drove at speeds up to 117 mph in a 35 mph zone, proceeded through a red traffic signal and wove in traffic.
An Indian River County sheriff’s sergeant lost sight of the BMW after it turned onto Highland Drive Southeast and traveled west toward Old Dixie Highway Southeast.
The fatal crash occurred in St. Lucie County as investigators said Lamb drove south on Old Dixie Highway.
Using various methods, investigators calculated he drove a minimum of 86 mph and a maximum of 108 mph at the time of impact with Terry’s vehicle, which was traveling at 1 mph. Terry was turning right from eastbound Julian Drive.
Investigators reported Terry was returning home after dropping her great-grandson off at soccer camp in Vero Beach.
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Terry, who didn’t wear her seatbelt, was ejected from her vehicle.
A witness said she called 911. She reported Lamb pleaded not to call the police.
The passenger in Lamb’s vehicle told investigators she called her boyfriend after the crash.
“She was driving, she was driving,” Lamb is quoted as saying.
Lamb, 18 at the time of the incident, reported he never had a license in any state. He said he didn’t stop earlier because he was on probation and lacked a license.
An attorney for Lamb is not listed on the St. Lucie County Clerk’s website.
He was held Friday in the St. Lucie County jail on $115,750 bond, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FHP: Man jailed in fatal high-speed crash in St. Lucie with woman, 76
