Paralyzed man’s death leads to charge of vehicular homicide almost two years after high-speed crash
The recent death of a man left paralyzed after a three-car collision nearly two years ago has resulted in more serious charges for a 20-year-old Lauderdale Lakes man.
Wenley Jean was driving a BMW 328i more than 80 mph in a 35 mph zone south in the 3600 block of N. Andrews Avenue in Oakland Park just before 9 p.m. April 10, 2019, according to the arrest report.
He was racing Joseph Lowensky who was at the wheel of a Honda Accord, investigators said.
Donald Michael Meklas was a back seat passenger in a Honda Fit that was heading west on Northeast 36th Street before stopping at the intersection.
As the Fit turned into the southbound lanes of Andrews Avenue, the BMW struck the rear corner of the Fit causing both cars to spin clockwise for about 175 feet. Then, the Accord hit the BMW, the report stated.
Meklas was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in critical condition with head and spinal injuries that left him permanently paralyzed. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office determined his recent death was the result of blunt force trauma injuries sustained in that crash.
Jean ran from the crash scene. The BMW was registered to his mother who reported it stolen about 30 minutes after the collision. DNA samples were taken from the steering wheel and air bag in the BMW and they matched Jean. Detectives said they later learned Jean had no valid driver’s license.
Jean initially faced several charges including leaving the scene of a crash causing injury. Charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash causing death were added Tuesday, records show.
At his first court appearance on the new charges Wednesday, Judge Tabitha Blackmon ordered Jean to remain in the Broward County Jail without bond.
Wayne K. Roustan can be reached at wkroustan@sunsentinel.com or 561-379-6119 or on Twitter @WayneRoustan
