JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The mother who was driving when her 5-year-old daughter died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 295 at State Road 9B in December has been arrested on charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and DUI.
Crystle Heidrick, 28, of Middleburg, was driving a 2008 Chevy Impala northbound on I-295 in the left emergency lane about 12:45 a.m. Dec. 19.
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State troopers said she was driving in the lane-reduction transition area when she lost control, and the car crossed the northbound lanes, left the roadway and struck some trees.
Kelsey Johnson (pictured on left) died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Heidrick was taken to UF Health Jacksonville with serious injuries.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report, both were wearing their seat belts.
Troopers said Heidrick took her daughter out of the back seat of the car after the crash and was spotted in the road flagging down a responding trooper with her daughter in her arms.
The trooper tried to perform CPR, but was unsuccessful.
Troopers said Heidrick voluntarily submitted to a blood and alcohol test.
She was arrested Friday and booked into the Duval County Jail with bond set at $275,000.
Troopers said that although additional analysis results are pending, investigators established probable cause to bring charges.
Heidrick is a student at the University of North Florida, according to her Facebook page.