MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A jury has found a 32-year-old man guilty in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 75-year-old woman and seriously injured two others.
Jurors convicted Justin Cobb on all counts, including DUI Manslaughter and two counts of Driving Under the Influence with Serious Bodily Injury, following a trial stemming from a 2022 crash.
According to evidence presented in court, the crash occurred on June 22, 2022, shortly after 6 p.m. on County Road 42 near Umatilla. Florida Highway Patrol troopers determined Cobb, who was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe, veered into the path of another vehicle carrying three occupants.
Elfriede Meyer, 75, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other occupants in the vehicle suffered serious injuries and were transported for emergency medical treatment.
During the investigation, Cobb told authorities he did not remember the crash and admitted to smoking methamphetamine the night before, describing himself as a functional addict. Blood samples collected at the hospital were later analyzed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, confirming Cobb was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones, whose lives were forever changed by this preventable tragedy,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “We remain committed to seeking justice for victims and holding those who choose to drive under the influence accountable.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Adam Smith and Robert Bullara.
Sentencing details were not immediately released.