DAQUASHA JOHNSON - 14 yo (2011) Charged: Mother-Melissa Johnson - Orlando FL

FHP: Mom Under Suspicion Of DUI In Crash That Killed Daughter

Cause Of Crash Under Investigation

11:01 am EDT April 24, 2011


ORLANDO, Fla. -- A mother is under suspicion of driving under the influence after a crash that killed her 14-year-old daughter, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Melissa Johnson was driving on Overland Road at about 5 p.m. when she lost control of the car and the vehicle overturned in a ditch, according to a police report.

Johnson's 14-year-old daughter, Daquasha Johnson, was killed. Her three other children in the car, ages 16, 11 and 10, suffered minor injuries in the crash.

State Trooper Steven Montiero said that no other traffic was around Johnson's car when she swerved and struck a tree.
Other drivers rushed to help, but could not save Johnson's 14-year-old daughter, Montiero said.

"I got out of the car and tried to help this one in the passenger seat out, but I couldn't get her out," witness Barbara Crawley said. "(The mother) was hollering, 'My baby, my baby!' She was traumatized."

Johnson was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. Investigators said they were waiting on a blood test to confirm the allegations.

Johnson was taken to a Florida hospital for treatment. Her three other children were in state custody.

FHP officials said the case was under investigation.

Mother accused in DUI crash that killed daughter to face judge

ORLANDO --

A mother accused of driving drunk and getting into an accident killing her 14-year-old daughter will be in court Wednesday to decide the custody of her three other children.

It is not the first time Melissa Johnson has had to fight for the custody of her children. She'll be at an Orlando juvenile courthouse to do it again.

Johnson did not have custody of her children when she was involved in the deadly crash in Apopka Saturday -- her daughter, Daquasha Johnson, was ejected from the car and killed.

Her three other children, ages 10, 11 and 16, were also in the car and received minor injuries.

Custody had been given to the children's aunt out of a court in Alabama. But the Department of Children and Families have now found out that the aunt, mother and kids were living together in Florida.

Officials are still trying to determine if the mother had visitation rights.

Daquasha Johnson, was a student at Meadowbrook Middle School. Tuesday night dozens gathered to remember the teen, who they said was so full of life.

"She was funny, she was outgoing, she was a strong-willed person. She was very respectful, she loved God more than anything," said one of the mourners.

The cause of the crash that killed Johnson is still under investigation. Investigators believe she was intoxicated.

The children have been removed from the aunt's care and are now in foster care. The hearing Wednesday morning will decide where the children will go next.



http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/april/238022/Mother-accused-in-DUI-crash-that-killed-daughter-to-face-judge

Mom Charged With DUI Manslaughter

7:50 AM, Apr 30, 2011

APOPKA, Fla. -- An Apopka mother was arrested and charged on Thursday with DUI manslaughter in a crash that killed her teenage daughter, authorities say.

The Florida Highway Patrol said it arrested Melissa Johnson on that charge, as well as vehicular homicide, driving without a license, three counts of child neglect and three counts of DUI with injury.

FHP said Johnson, 32, was driving on Overland Road in Apopka on Saturday with her four children when she ran off the road, hit a tree and her car overturned.

Her daughter, 14-year-old Daquasha Johnson, was ejected from the vehicle. She was taken to Florida Hospital South but did not survive.

Johnson's other three children, ages 10, 11 and 16, all survived.

FHP said Johnson's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was .244.

Johnson is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/florida/article/189646/19/Mom-Charged-With-DUI-Manslaughter?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|t

STATE OF FLORIDA v. JOHNSON, MELISSA SHONVETTE

Charges: JOHNSON, MELISSA SHONVETTE

1. AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER OF A CHILD 782.07(3) First Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
2. CR-DWI MANSLAUGHTER 316.193(3)(C)(3)(A) Second Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
3. CR-DRIVING W/LIC. SUSP. -W/DEATH/SERIOUS INJ. 322.34(6)(B) Third Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
4. CHILD ABUSE 827.03(1) Third Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
5. CHILD ABUSE 827.03(1) Third Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
6. NEGLECT OF CHILD CAUSING HARM/DISABILITY 827.03(3)(B) Second Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
7. CHILD ABUSE 827.03(1) Third Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
8. CR-DWI SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO ANOTHER 316.193(3)(C)(2) Third Degree - Felony 04/23/2011
9. CR-DWI SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO ANOTHER 316.193(3)(C)(2) Third Degree - Felony 04/23/2011

07/23/2012 . . . Trial (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Apte, Alan S)

http://myclerk.myorangeclerk.com/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=7654003

Mom gets 10 years for DUI crash that killed daughter, 14
4:22 p.m. EST, June 14, 2012|
By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel

A mother accused of crashing her car while driving drunk with her four children — fatally injuring her 14-year-old daughter — was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday morning in a plea agreement.

Melissa Shonvette Johnson, 33, pleaded no contest to aggravated manslaughter of a child, a first-degree felony, and was convicted and taken into custody.

read more:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-14/news/os-dui-mom-crash-plea-20120614_1_dui-crash-minor-injuries-roll-over-crash