Charles H. Holt, a 59-year-old resident, has been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment following a fatal accident on the 1500 block of Springfield Highway on December 9, 2023. The collision resulted in the death of Jurgis Juodenas, a 75-year-old man.
According to the police, Juodenas was driving a Volkswagen Beetle northward on Springfield Highway when Holt’s southbound Kia Sorento crossed into the northbound lane, leading to a head-on collision. Juodenas succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while Holt sustained minor injuries. It was confirmed that both individuals were wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident.
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Following the accident, Holt informed officers that he had recently started taking a new medication for lowering blood pressure and had only slept for two hours before the crash. He mentioned that he believed he had passed out due to these conditions. The Event Data Recorder (EDR) from Holt’s vehicle indicated that he was driving below the speed limit, between 45 and 50 mph, just before the collision occurred. Witnesses reported that Holt had swerved into oncoming traffic, nearly causing additional accidents, before ultimately colliding with Juodenas’ vehicle.
Holt’s charges stem from his decision to drive despite the medication’s warning against operating vehicles until its effects were fully understood, compounded by his lack of sleep.
Source: Read Original Release