Teen charged as adult with felony murder in crash that killed elderly Ocala couple, police say
Daughter seeks answers after parents killed in Ocala crash
A Marion County teenager is facing murder charges after investigators say he crashed into another vehicle while fleeing an alleged robbery, killing a husband and wife who were on their way to celebrate a birthday.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A Marion County teenager is facing murder charges after investigators say he crashed into another vehicle while fleeing an alleged robbery, killing a husband and wife who were on their way to celebrate a birthday.
The 17-year-old boy was arrested on a felony murder charge in connection with the deadly traffic crash that happened last month.
The backstory:
The Ocala Police Department said Estiben Garcia Luis was driving a Ford Mustang at a high rate of speed on May 8 when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Southwest 38th Street and Southwest 67th Avenue Road and collided with a Ford Explorer.
The crash claimed the lives of Charles and Lynn Duncan on May 8, the same day the couple was headed to celebrate Charles Duncan's 77th birthday.
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Investigators said Garcia Luis and another person had allegedly been involved in a robbery at the Ocala Sportsplex moments before the crash. Detectives said they reviewed surveillance video and witness statements and determined the Mustang left the scene immediately before the collision.
Police said the evidence indicated Garcia Luis was participating in the robbery and attempting to flee when the crash occurred.
What they're saying:
Charles and Lynn Duncan's daughter, Rebecca Duncan-Taylor, said she is now grappling with the sudden loss of both parents while trying to find forgiveness.
"It’s just been life-changing," Duncan-Taylor told FOX 35. "My dad was a huge part, and so was my mom, of my kids' lives, my grandkids' lives."
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Duncan-Taylor said she spoke with her parents earlier that day, calling her father to wish him a happy birthday before taking a nap.
When she woke up, she learned both of her parents had been critically injured in the crash and later died.
"It was completely senseless," she said. "And then to know the background behind all of it, it makes me sad and I'm angry. It's a lot of emotions."
What's next:
Under Florida's felony murder law, a suspect can be charged with murder if a death occurs during the commission of certain felonies. Authorities said that is the basis for the charges filed against Garcia Luis, who is being prosecuted as an adult.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Ocala Police Department.