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Staff Report
MELROSE, Fla. – In a recent development, 52-year-old Brandon Reece Howard faces charges of negligent homicide after a tragic accident in September 2023 claimed the life of 42-year-old Natasha Puente Borrego from Starke.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation revealed that on the morning of September 19, 2023, Howard’s pickup truck was speeding between 98 and 107 mph in a 60 mph zone along State Road 26. Meanwhile, Borrego was heading westbound in her Ford Mustang at speeds between 58 and 64 mph. As Howard’s vehicle approached a curve approximately 300 feet west of County Road 219A, it veered off the road onto the south grass shoulder but then re-entered the eastbound lane. The truck lost control, crossed the center line, and collided with Borrego’s car, despite her efforts to swerve and avoid the crash. Tragically, Borrego did not survive the impact.
A trooper reported that, although Howard showed no immediate signs of impairment at the hospital, a voluntary blood test revealed the presence of marijuana and cocaine. Additionally, medical personnel noted that Howard had been given pain medication, and traces of morphine were also found in his system.
Further investigations uncovered that Howard was speeding with a canceled driver’s license, lacked insurance, and had illegally tinted windows at the time of the accident.
Howard has been charged with driving with a suspended license, leading to the death of another person, and negligent homicide. He has five misdemeanor convictions and is facing a sworn complaint for allegedly throwing a beer can at a neighbor in January 2026. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $200,000, the amount set by Judge David Kreider in Howard’s arrest warrant.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.