Man Charged with DUI Manslaughter After 18-Year-Old Woman Killed in Osceola County Thanksgiving Crash

A devastating three-vehicle crash late Thanksgiving night in Osceola County has left an 18-year-old Georgia woman dead and several others seriously injured. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Davenport man is now facing DUI manslaughter charges in connection with the collision.

Troopers say the fatal crash occurred around 11:41 p.m. on Poinciana Parkway, east of Sienna Boulevard. A 2004 Acura MDX driven by 44-year-old Eddy Edmond was traveling westbound when he failed to stop for traffic ahead.

A 2025 Hyundai Tucson, driven by a 34-year-old Kissimmee woman, was already stopped in the westbound lane, along with a 2015 Ford F-150 ahead of it. According to FHP, Edmond’s Acura slammed into the rear of the Hyundai, causing it to overturn and crash into the Ford pickup.

The violent impact resulted in catastrophic injuries:

• The 18-year-old passenger in the Hyundai was rushed to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead
• The 34-year-old Hyundai driver and another 18-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries
• Four additional passengers from the Hyundai were transported to area hospitals
• The Ford F-150 driver was uninjured and remained at the scene

Following the crash, Edmond was arrested for DUI manslaughter and booked into the Osceola County Jail.

The crash remains an active investigation.

DUI-related crashes increase significantly during Thanksgiving week due to:

• Holiday gatherings involving alcohol
• Late-night travel
• Fatigue from long-distance driving
• Increased roadway congestion

In Florida, DUI manslaughter is one of the most serious charges a driver can face, carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison per fatality under Florida Statutes §316.193.

Rear-end collisions—especially those involving stopped traffic—are frequently caused by:

• Impaired driving
• Inattention or distracted driving
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Fatigued or drowsy driving

Because the Acura struck a completely stopped vehicle, investigators are likely examining Edmond’s impairment level, speed, and braking behavior before impact. Event data recorder (“black box”) information will play an important role.

Legal Rights for Families After Fatal DUI Crashes

When a drunk driver causes a fatal collision, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (§768.16–§768.26). Compensation may be available for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and emotional support
• Mental pain and suffering
• Lost future earnings and financial contributions
• Medical expenses incurred before death

In DUI cases, victims may also pursue punitive damages, which are intended to punish reckless behavior and deter similar conduct.

Passengers injured in the Hyundai may have claims against:

• The DUI driver (Edmond)
• Their own vehicle’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
• Potentially the bar or establishment that served Edmond alcohol, under Florida’s dram shop laws (if applicable)

Determining the full scope of available insurance coverage is critical in multi-injury and multi-passenger cases.

Evidence That Must Be Preserved Immediately

In DUI wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, key evidence includes:

• Blood-alcohol concentration tests
• Bodycam and dashcam footage
• Crash reconstruction diagrams
• Vehicle black box data
• Witness statements
• 911 recordings
• Cellphone records
• Bar receipts or surveillance footage (if applicable)

Because evidence can be lost or destroyed quickly, timely investigation is essential.

Compassionate Support for Families in Osceola County and Throughout Florida

Losing a loved one to a preventable DUI crash is an unimaginable tragedy. Families often face overwhelming grief, medical expenses, financial uncertainty, and unanswered questions about what really happened.

Flanagan & Bodenheimer helps families:

• Conduct immediate evidence preservation
• Navigate insurance and investigative processes
• Pursue wrongful death and injury claims
• Hold negligent drivers fully accountable

We offer free consultations and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.

If your family has been affected by this tragic Thanksgiving crash or another DUI collision in Florida, reach out today to understand your rights and explore your options for justice and accountability.