OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A man authorities say killed another man on New Year’s Eve while driving drunk had his bond revoked in court Thursday.
The State Attorney’s Office says 27-year-old Tristen Melichar has his initial hearing in court on January 11. They say Melichar was involved in a “tragic DUI incident” that took the life of 45-year-old Jonathan Wayne Hufstetler.
Authorities say the fatal crash happened in Floral City around 4:30 p.m. on Old Floral City Road, south of the Evergreen Loop. They say Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the scene and determined that Melichar was driving a Dodge Caravan south on Old Floral City Road. While he was crossing the center line, he crashed into Hufstetler, who was driving a motorcycle, according to authorities.
The State Attorney’s Office says Hufstetler, an Inverness man, died at the scene. Investigations conducted by FHP revealed that Melichar was impaired, with a breath alcohol level of .278 and .289. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, it is unlawful for your breath alcohol level to be .08 or above. He was arrested and charges with DUI manslaughter, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and DUI with property damage.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, during the hearing, it was revealed that Melichar had a history of driving under the influence. They say he was convicted of a DUI in 2020 in Sarasota County. He also had previously convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license in Citrus County in 2021, stated authorities.
In addition to those, they say he had a pending case for driving with a suspended license in Manatee County from early December in 2023.