St. Petersburg man faces two counts of DUI manslaughter

A man is facing two counts of DUI manslaughter in the deaths of two motorists stemming from a May 12 traffic crash in Largo.

Cesar Gonzalez-Calderon was arrested Friday at his home in St. Petersburg, according to the Largo Police Department. He also faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license causing a death.

According to an LPD press release, on May 12, co-workers Debbie Savanpanyadeth and Somsack Khamvongsa were in the emergency lane of southbound U.S. 19 near the intersection of Central Avenue. Savanpanyadeth’s vehicle had broken down and Khamvongsa stopped to assist.

According to the release, both were out of their vehicles when a southbound 2003 Ford Expedition driven by Gonzalez-Calderon entered the emergency lane. His vehicle struck both vehicles and both drivers. Calderon then fled on foot but was located by a K-9 officer a short distance away, according to LPD.

Savanpanyadeth and Khamvongsa later passed away.

The LPD release said toxicology and DNA reports were received last week, showing that Gonzalez-Calderon had a blood alcohol level more than double the legal limit of .08.

This story was originally published July 7, 2017 at 8:30 PM with the headline "St. Petersburg man faces two counts of DUI manslaughter."