Bradenton teen charged with 2 counts of first-degree vehicular homicide
MANATEE -- A judge ordered bonds totaling $425,000 for 16-year-old Emerson Herrera of Bradenton, driver of the 2003 Ford Explorer involved in the double-fatal crash Nov. 20 at 53rd Avenue West and 26th Street West.
Gabriella "Gigi" Longpre, 22, of Bradenton, and Jessica Costanzo, 23, of Venice, were killed in the crash.
Herrera was arrested Wednesday and charged with grand theft auto and two counts of first-degree vehicular manslaughter by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Manatee Sheriff's Office.
Circuit Judge Scott Brownell set the high bond for Herrera's new charges and reset his previous bond on an unrelated case at $1,500.
The warrant for Herrera's arrest was executed Wednesday evening by the FHP and the sheriff's office Gang Unit.
Herrerra is being held at the Manatee County jail.
Typical FHP traffic homicide investigations take at least two to three months to conclude, however, FHP and the sheriff's office worked together to determine probable cause and make an arrest.
Herrera, having been hospitalized from the car crash, appeared via video conference in a wheelchair at his first appearance in court Thursday afternoon.
Assistant State Attorney Rory Zinna, assigned to prosecute the case, recommended the high bond based on Herrera's criminal history, which included 19 prior arrests. He's also been found delinquent and was out on pretrial release in an unrelated case when the accident occurred.
In additional to setting the state's recommended bonds, Brownell also granted the state request to revoke his pretrial release on the other case.
Herrera was charged earlier this year for accessory to murder after the fact but presiding Judge John Lakin has ordered the recorded confession suppressed. The state is appealing the ruling and Herrera was allowed out of jail on his own recognizance awaiting a decision from the appellate courts, which could take more than a year.
Zinna argued Herrera should be given no bond for violating his pretrial release.
Brownell said he would let Lakin address whether to raise bond, since it is his case.
"He's not going anywhere. A $425,000 bond for Mr. Emerson, I think that's a little more than his allowance," Brownell said.
Bradenton detective James Curulla said he could not comment on an open case but indicated he felt the charges would stick.
"We wouldn't have arrested him if we didn't feel he was guilty," Curulla said. "We made the arrest based on the evidence we had. We feel very confident."
FHP reported the Explorer driven by Herrera was northbound in the left lane on 26th Street West approaching the red traffic signal at 53rd Avenue West early Nov. 20.
A 2012 Volkswagen Passat driven by Longpre was westbound in the right lane on 53rd Avenue West approaching the green traffic signal at 26th Street West.
Herrera failed to stop for the red traffic signal and the front of the Ford struck the left side of the VW.
Longpre and Costanzo died at the scene.
Herrera initially fled in another vehicle, according to troopers, but was found later that day.
Herrera sustained serious injuries and was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published December 12, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton teen charged with 2 counts of first-degree vehicular homicide ."