Teens charged with vehicular homicide
Two Cape Coral teens have been charged with vehicular homicide following a deadly crash that police say happened while they were street racing.
Milano Paolo Hlavina, 18, and Jeremy Olivo, 19, have each been charged with vehicular homicide stemming from the incident that took place in January.
According to Cape Coral Police Department officials, on Jan. 10 around 3 p.m., two cars, a white Ford Mustang, driven by Hlavina, and blue Honda Accord, driven by Olivo, were traveling southbound on Del Prado Boulevard from the intersection of N.E. Pine Island Road.
Witnesses reported they saw both cars racing at a high rate of speed, which Cape Coral police investigators say they confirmed by reviewing video surveillance.
Police officials state that in the 400 block of Del Prado Boulevard North, the victim, William J. Garfall, 75, was driving a red Chevrolet Equinox northbound and attempting to make a left turn into a business plaza.
“The white Ford Mustang hit the passenger side of the Equinox at high speed, causing the Mustang to spin and crash into another northbound vehicle before stopping,” CCPD officials stated in a release. “According to witnesses, the blue Honda Accord made a U-turn following the crash, slowed down as it passed the scene, and then fled the area. A witness followed the Accord and instructed the driver to stop, which they eventually did.”
Police state Garfall was trauma-alerted to the hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
CCPD officials state that during their investigation, vehicle data revealed that the white Ford Mustang was traveling 99.4 mph in a posted 45-mph zone on Del Prado Boulevard at 3:03 p.m., with other traffic present. Police officials added that witness statements and video footage confirmed the blue Honda Accord was traveling alongside the Mustang, both exceeding 90 mph–approximately twice the posted speed limit.
On Dec. 1, Cape Coral Police Department Traffic Homicide Investigators located and arrested both drivers.
Paolo has been released and his case referred to Juvenile Court. Olivo is still in custody, his bond is not yet set.