- April 24, 2024
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A 2012 crash resulted in the death of two Flagler County people.
An Ormond Beach man convicted of three felonies stemming from a July 26, 2012 crash that killed two people from Flagler County was sentenced to 16 years in a state prison facility on Nov. 14. Louis Prinzo, IV, 24, was convicted of two counts of DUI causing death, one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury and one count of misdemeanor driving under the influence. Following Prinzo’s release from prison, he will serve 19 years of drug offender probation.
Each of the two DUI-causing-death charges carries a four-year minimum mandatory, meaning he will not be eligible for “gain time” for those eight years, according to state attorney spokesman Spencer S. Hathaway. Gain time is used to reduce sentences for good behavior.
Evidence showed that Prinzo was driving a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis and turned in front of two vehicles on I-95 causing a three-car crash. The crash resulted in the death of two people and the serious injury of two others.
The Court heard two hours of emotional testimony from both friends and family of the victims and of the defendant, according to Hathaway. Circuit Judge Leah Case ultimately sentenced the defendant to 16 years in prison followed by 19 years of probation with special conditions of no drugs or alcohol, an alcohol safety education course, a victim impact panel, restitution totaling $8,000 and court costs and fines.
The crash happened about 10:50 p.m.
Doron Lyn, then 32, of Wilmington, North Carolina, who was driving a Chevy Blazer behind Prinzo, was injured.
Lane Burnsed, 18, of Bunnell was driving a Ford 150 behind Prinzo and was killed. Also killed was a passenger in the Ford, Meredith Smith, 17, of Palm Coast. Another passenger in the Ford, Tuesday Coulter, then 20, of Palm Coast, was injured.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza made the following comment after the sentencing, “The defendant illegally obtained and abused prescription drugs, a crime in and of itself. He chose to drive under the influence of the drugs and two teenagers died as a result. His acceptance of responsibility was the only positive of this tragic situation.”
Assistant State Attorney Michael Willard, of the State Attorney’s Career Criminal Unit, prosecuted the case.
