An Arcadia man has been charged with DUI manslaughter in a crash that left one Fort Myers man dead and seven people injured in May.
The arrest warrant was signed today for Walter S. Bates Jr. for 1 count of DUI Manslaughter, 4 counts of DUI Serious Bodily Injury and 4 counts of DUI Property Damage, according to a prepared statement issued by the Florida Highway Patrol
These charges stem from a traffic crash that occurred on May 28 at State Road 31 and Cook Brown Road in Charlotte County, officials said,
According to FHP, Bates, of Arcadia, was operating a 1999 Dodge truck when it crossed the center line of State Road 31 into oncoming traffic. Bates’ vehicle collided with a 2000 Chevrolet van driven by Miguel Bartolo Jose of Fort Myers. Jose was pronounced deceased on scene. A blood sample was obtained from Bates and sent for analyses. The sample returned from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with a blood alcohol, level of 0.184, officials said.
Also injured in the crash were Diego Ordonez, Romeo Cifuences, Eduardo Lopez, Cadelaria Domingo, Marcelino Deleon, Domingo Lopez and Angela Barrios all from Fort Myers. They were passengers in Jose’s vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

Source: Florida Highway Patrol