MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Corporals with the Florida Highway Patrol have arrested a 29-year-old Leesburg woman after a yearlong investigation into a fatal traffic collision that claimed the life of a 40-year-old Belleview man on October 11, 2025.
Lauren Carlton was allegedly driving under the influence when her vehicle veered into oncoming traffic on SE HWY 42 and struck a vehicle headed in the opposite direction head-on, killing the driver and severely injuring his two passengers.
“The investigation determined that Carlton was operating Vehicle 1 and traveled left of center, crossing over a solid double yellow centerline into the path of oncoming traffic,” read a statement, in part. “Vehicle 1 subsequently collided head-on with Vehicle 2. As a result of the collision, the driver of Vehicle 2 sustained fatal injuries, while the remaining occupants suffered significant injuries.”
Troopers visited Carlton in the hospital last year immediately following the crash. At the time they observed “indicators of impairment,” and analysis of her blood revealed blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.205 and 0.204; both results are just above two and a half times the 0.08 threshold for DUI.
Following a thorough investigation, Carlton was arrested on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, and charged with one count of DUI Manslaughter, two counts of DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and one count of DUI with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level.