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Families Seek Justice After Suspect No-Shows DUI Manslaughter Trial in Tampa
Tampa, Fla. – The search is on after a man accused of killing two in a 2022 drunk driving incident failed to appear for his trial. The families of the victims are expressing their frustration and pain as thay await justice.
The suspect,Joshua Roelofs,is charged with multiple offenses related to the fatal DUI crash.
Victims’ Families Speak Out
George Negrete, father of victim Ricky Gongora, remembers his son as a positive and joyful person. “Ricky was just a jovial person. He was always happy,” Negrete saeid. “He always found a silver lining in any cloud. He could always brighten up your day.”
The Family Of Ricky Gongora Share This Picture Of Him Before The Deadly Crash.
The families of Ricky Gongora, 44, and his freind Kris Koroly are still seeking closure three years after the tragic event. “It was three years in April and it still feels surreal. It still feels like a dream,” Negrete expressed.
Timeline of Events
The devastating incident occurred in April 2022 on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Tampa Police reported that Joshua Roelofs,36,rear-ended their vehicle. Allegedly,Roelofs was intoxicated and driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph at the time of the collision,resulting in the immediate deaths of both men.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Releases Mugshot Of Joshua Roelofs.
Roelofs was scheduled to stand trial in April on charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. His absence from court prompted the judge to revoke his bond and issue a warrant for his arrest.
Related: Former Deputy No-Shows DUI Manslaughter Trial, Warrant Issued
Outrage over Bail
Negrete voiced his anger over Roelofs initially being released on bail. “It’s just a mix of emotions, just disgusted at the system that he was even out on bail for a little more than $4,000 to think that he was out being a free man after having taken two lives,” Negrete stated.
Roelofs’s past includes being a Polk County deputy, a position he lost in 2015 after being arrested for falsifying his time card, according to the sheriff’s office.
“It’s a grave injustice for him to be a fugitive now. I think he’s just a coward,” Negrete added. “Everybody has to answer for their actions, and you no he took the easy way out.”
The Case at a standstill
With Roelofs at large for over two months, the case remains unresolved, prolonging the families’ suffering. “Turn yourself in. Be a man,” Negrete pleaded. “You committed a crime of grave injustice, and you should have to answer for this.”
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