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Lakeland woman hit, killed on Christmas eve
Evyn Moon reports.
LAKELAND, Fla. - A 40-year-old Lakeland woman on a motorized wheelchair was struck and killed in Lakeland by a man who was later arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter, according to authorities.
On Sunday night at around 6 p.m., Leslie Stone was riding down West Pipkin Road in Lakeland on a motorized wheelchair when she was struck and killed by a car, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Photo courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Stone was reportedly getting some fresh air and going to the store when she was hit.
Authorities said Howard Bennett, 67, was driving east on West Pipkin Road approaching the intersection with Fairfield Drive when he struck Stone.
Deputies arrived to find Bennett stumbling while walking and using their patrol vehicle for support. They also said he had bloodshot and watery eyes, spoke with slurred speech, and smelled like an alcoholic beverage.
After a field sobriety test, Bennett was taken into custody, according to PCSO.
Bennett provided two breath samples, one measured .159 G/210 L, and the other .158G/210 L, and both were nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 G/210L, according to the sheriff's office.
Photo courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Leslie Stone left behind her mother, her sister, and three children, ages three, 17 and 24. Her 17-year-old has autism.
FOX 13 spoke with Stone’s sister.
"We had seen her 20 minutes before she walked out that door and everything was fine. Ten minutes later, I’m driving down the road and she is laying there in a body bag," Abdulia Wenses said. "She was the type of person that would give you the shirt off her back. She got joy out of seeing other people happy, even if she didn’t have it."
Wenses had a message for drunk drivers.
"We woke up Christmas morning without a sister, without a daughter, without a mother. These kids without their mom here, it wasn’t Christmas. There won’t be another happy holiday in this household. Just be responsible if you’re going to drink, just stay home. Don’t get out and drive and be irresponsible. There’s people’s families out there that are waiting for them at home."
Bennett was charged with DUI Manslaughter (F2), DUI .15 or higher with property damage (M1), and DUI with property damage (M1) and booked into the Polk County Jail.
"Our prayers are with Ms. Stone's family. To lose a loved one this way is awfully tragic, but especially during the holiday season," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "We hope and pray our citizens will make better choices than this suspect did - please celebrate the holidays responsibly."