Woman charged with DUI in death of scooter rider in Pinellas County

PINELLAS PARK, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol says troopers arrested a woman for driving under the influence following a deadly crash in Pinellas County Tuesday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

28-year-old Kaitlyn Ann Sauer of Pinellas Park is facing several charges, including DUI-manslaughter. Troopers said she was driving a Ford Explorer in the area of 66th Street and 54th Avenue N at about 1:22 p.m. when she ran a red light and struck a Kymco scooter on 54th Avenue.

The scooter rider, who police say had a green light at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as 64-year-old Stanley Joseph Mercier.

Investigators say Sauer admitted that she had taken heroin and Xanax before the accident occurred.

The use of motorized scooters and mopeds is skyrocketing because they are economical and enjoyable methods of transportation — but when other motorists drive carelessly, their dangers are as real as their benefits. The Pinellas County Personal Injury attorneys at Kemp Law Group Law Group handle many areas of personal injury law, including moped and motorized scooter injuries. We believe you should focus on getting well while we worry about using the justice system to protect your rights. Contact us today to request your free consultation where you can ask case-specific questions. Simply call us at 727-835-8327 or respond in our online chat box.