Judge Denies Bond Reduction for Driver in Fatal DUI Crash

Manatee County, FL – A Manatee County judge has denied a request to reduce the $1.25 million bond for Cesar Navarrete, 25, the driver charged in connection with a deadly crash on November 2 that claimed the life of Sara Holmes, 37. Navarrete remains in custody at the Manatee County Jail as he awaits his arraignment on December 27.

According to investigators from the Bradenton Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit, Navarrete was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed on Cortez Road when he ran a red light at 43rd Street West and collided with the vehicle in which Holmes was a passenger. The DUI investigation revealed that Navarrete had a blood alcohol content of .289, more than three times the legal limit.

At the time of the crash, Navarrete had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was apprehended at the hospital where he was being treated for injuries sustained in the crash. On November 4, Navarrete was formally charged with DUI Manslaughter and Driving While License Suspended Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury. Following his release from the hospital, he was transferred to the medical facility at the Manatee County Jail.

The case remains under investigation by Bradenton Police, with further details expected to emerge in the coming weeks.