Staff report

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Carrie Janeene Russell, 46, a teacher at Oak View Middle School, has been arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide for allegedly swerving into oncoming traffic and hitting a pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old pregnant Newberry woman in February 2024; the pregnant woman was pronounced deceased after being transported to an emergency room.

Alachua County Public Schools spokeswoman Jackie Johnson said Russell was placed on administrative leave yesterday.

At about 7:38 p.m. on February 16, a pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old Newberry woman was traveling northbound on U.S. Hwy 27/45 when witnesses said an SUV, traveling southbound, crossed the center line and was three feet into the northbound lane when it hit the pickup truck head-on. Russell was later identified as the driver of the SUV.

A comprehensive drug and alcohol screen was conducted on Russell, and the results reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11/100mL, higher than the legal limit of 0.08/100mL, along with 57ng/mL for amphetamine. A blood sample from the victim, collected during the autopsy, was negative for alcohol or drugs.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigation concluded that Russell was solely responsible for the crash and the death of the woman and her unborn child, as well as the damage to both vehicles.

Russell has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. She has no criminal history, and Judge James Colaw ordered bail set at $500,000. Judge Colaw also ordered that she be fitted with a transdermal alcohol detection device and surrender her passport to her attorney.

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.