A man facing multiple charges for driving under the influence and causing a wreck that killed 2 people in 2022 was sentenced to 40 years in prison Tuesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
As jurors lined up outside the courtroom for the start of the trial Tuesday, Jacob Hunter Michael, 25, of Panama City, pled No Contest to 2 counts of DUI-Manslaughter, and 1 count of DUI With Serious Bodily Injury. He could have faced up to Life in prison if convicted as charged.
Tallulah Montez Beaman Ellis and her daughter, Tammy R. Hughes, died May 10, 2022, when the defendant’s car hit them from behind at about 130 mph on John Pitts Road. Hughes’ then-9-year-old granddaughter was critically injured.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Mark Graham told Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark the families of both victims, present in the courtroom, approved the plea before it was offered.
“This case is a real tragedy, as is the case with most DUI-Manslaughters,” Graham said. “You have the Ellis and Hughes families that lost a mother and daughter – leaving behind great-grandchildren, grandchildren, children and more. And that’s forever.
“Then you have the defendant who is a relatively young man with no criminal record and he’s going to prison for 40 years from one bad night of making bad choices.”
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Graham was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence from the Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation that the defendant was eastbound on John Pitts Road at about 130 mph when it topped an incline and ran into the rear of the victim’s vehicle.
The defendant’s Dodge Charger spun off and caught fire. He was pulled to safety. The victims’ vehicle was crushed, killing Ellis – who was driving – and Hughes. Hughes’ daughter suffered critical injuries but recovered.
Basford thanked the FHP for it’s work at the scene that night and putting together a strong case.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.