Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kenyata Markeisha Tucker, 33, has been sentenced to one year in jail, followed by four years of probation, after entering a plea of nolo contendere to reckless driving leading to serious bodily injury.

At about 10:20 p.m. on August 29, 2020, Tucker was driving a minivan eastbound on State Road 20, west of SE 60th Terrace, with a blood alcohol content of 0.055 g/100mL, less than the statutory threshold of 0.08 g/100mL. According to the investigation conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol, she initiated a lane change to the right lane on a left-hand curve on a wet road, and she lost control of the van, which rotated off the roadway and hit several trees. She and the front passenger were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the back seat passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Post Miranda, the passenger reportedly identified Tucker as the driver of the minivan and said the road was wet, but she said she could not provide further details because she was asleep at the time of the crash.

Post Miranda, Tucker reportedly said she had been driving the minivan and that she had changed lanes because a vehicle was approaching from the rear, so she accelerated and changed lanes to get out of the way. She said she lost control because the roadway was wet. She estimated that she was traveling at about 60-70 mph at the time of the crash, and she and her passenger (who said she was asleep) were arguing over the radio and turning it on and off. She reportedly added, “I should have been more attentive.”

A DNA analysis reportedly showed that Tucker’s DNA was found on the steering wheel airbag.

Speed calculations determined that the minivan was traveling between 96.8 and 103.4 mph on a roadway with a 65-mph speed limit.

In July 2022, a formal charge of vehicular homicide was filed, and in November 2024, Tucker entered a plea of nolo contendere to reckless driving with serious bodily injury (a lesser included offense); the plea agreement stated that the maximum sentence is five years in prison.

Her sentencing was delayed due to a medical issue, and on September 8, Judge William Davis sentenced her to 364 days in jail with credit for 3 days served, followed by four years of probation. She is required to complete a driver improvement course and must pay restitution of $7,500 to the victim’s family for funeral costs.