CASSELBERRY, Fla. – Prosecutors have upgraded the charges against the driver accused of causing a high-speed crash that killed two brothers in Seminole County earlier this month, announcing they will seek life sentences on two counts of second-degree murder.
The Seminole County State Attorney’s Office announced July 28 that 26-year-old Marquavious T. Wheaton has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the July 7 crash that claimed the lives of Christopher Marier, 42, and Tyler Marier, 40.
According to prosecutors, the evidence demonstrates Wheaton acted with a depraved mind and a reckless disregard for human life, supporting second-degree murder charges rather than lesser offenses such as vehicular homicide or third-degree murder.
State Attorney William Scheiner said prosecutors intend to pursue life sentences if Wheaton is convicted.
“We want him off our streets and out of the community for good,” Scheiner said. “He knowingly risked countless lives before ending two in the blink of an eye. The victims and their grieving families deserve our best effort at justice.”
According to investigators, Wheaton was driving a BMW sedan at speeds exceeding 115 mph while weaving through heavy midday traffic and running multiple red lights along U.S. Highway 17/92 before crashing into an SUV occupied by the Marier brothers.
Prosecutors said the case includes aerial video recorded by a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office helicopter documenting the pursuit, as well as body camera footage from first responders showing Wheaton was the sole occupant of the BMW.
Authorities said sheriff’s deputies initially attempted to stop Wheaton for a traffic violation but did not engage in a close vehicle pursuit after he fled at a high rate of speed.
In addition to the murder charges, Wheaton also faces a probation violation because he was on probation at the time of the crash.
Court records show Wheaton was sentenced in 2019 to five years in state prison after being convicted of robbery with a firearm, an offense punishable by up to life in prison. Prosecutors said the alleged probation violation could result in additional prison time if proven.
The criminal case remains pending.