PANAMA CITY, Fla. — A woman has been found guilty of DUI manslaughter in a crash that killed a man on his way to work, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Kourtney Sage Hofheinz, 33, of Bristol, was convicted Thursday in connection with the July 5, 2024 crash that claimed the life of 39-year-old Damian Donniel Kerr. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson set sentencing for April 27.
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred around 4 a.m. on 15th Street near Beck Avenue. Kerr was driving eastbound in a Ford Fusion, returning home from the beach and heading to work, while Hofheinz was traveling westbound toward the beach in a GMC Sierra truck.
Authorities said Hofheinz’s truck crossed the center turn lane and struck Kerr’s vehicle head-on, destroying both vehicles. Kerr died at the scene. Hofheinz sustained minor injuries.
Blood tests conducted at the hospital showed Hofheinz had a blood alcohol concentration of .124, above the legal limit.
“This truly was a horrific and violent collision that resulted in the death of a man trying to get to work, all because this defendant made the choice to drive impaired,” prosecutor Peter Overstreet said. “Choices have consequences and the jury took 45 minutes to decide this defendant should be held accountable.”
During the trial, prosecutors presented body camera and surveillance video, along with testimony from 14 witnesses, to demonstrate impairment.
Body camera footage showed Hofheinz asking officers what had happened following the crash.
“I’m not falling out, I’m trying to get out… Did he hit me? What happened?” she said.
“You can hear the slurring of her words, you can see her mannerisms,” Overstreet told jurors. “She didn’t even realize she’s the one who drifted into the other lane and struck Damian Kerr.”
In closing arguments, Overstreet urged jurors to consider the consequences of impaired driving.
“Damian Kerr… had no idea that as he drove… that early morning that he would die,” he said. “And just like that, a life was over… because of one person and the choices they had made.”
The charge is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, with a minimum mandatory sentence of four years.
Basford credited the Panama City Police Department for its investigation that led to the conviction.