|
Home Search |
Published on Tuesday, November 30, 2004
in the Daytona Beach News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- A motorcyclist accused of speeding and contributing to the death of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who wrecked his cruiser while trying to catch him will be held until he can post $300,000 bail in Volusia County, a judge said Monday.
Donald Williams, 38, of Seffner, is being held at the St. Johns County Jail on $150,000 bail. Williams, who faces three criminal charges in Volusia County, has been held in St. John's County since his arrest there on a charge of felony aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Williams is accused of contributing to the Oct. 2 crash on Interstate 4 in which trooper Darryl Haywood died. Authorities say Haywood was killed when a tire blew out as he pursued a motorcycle racing east at high speeds on the interstate between DeLand and Daytona Beach.
In Volusia County, Williams faces charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and attempting to elude a police officer. During a bond hearing Monday before Circuit Judge R. Michael Hutcheson, Williams' attorney, Leon Jones of Tampa, asked for bail to be set at less than $250,000.
He described Williams as a father and a Gulf War veteran with no criminal record. However, prosecutor Celeste Gagne expressed concerns that Williams might leave the jurisdiction if bail wasn't at least $250,000, saying Williams has "insufficient ties to Volusia County."
Jones said Williams will have to post bail in both counties before he can be released. The criminal trial could start in January, according to court records.