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Tag: Cesar Navarrete

Impaired driver who killed Sara Danielle Holmes sentenced to 25 years in prison

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

BRADENTON – Cesar Navarrete, the impaired driver who killed Swordfish Grill bartender Sara Danielle Holmes in a DUI-related crash in 2024, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

On Thursday, April 16, the Bradenton Police Department issued a press release that said, “This afternoon, Cesar Navarrete, arrested in November 2024 on multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. 

“The night of Saturday, November 2, 2024, Navarrete was driving at 115 mph on Cortez Road, approaching 43rd Street West, when he crashed into 37-year-old Sara-Danielle Holmes’ Chevrolet Equinox, splitting the vehicle in half. Holmes, a mother of two small children, was in the passenger seat of the Equinox and died as a result of the collision. Her boyfriend, who was driving the SUV, survived the crash,” the press release says. 

Cesar Navarrete was sentenced to 25 years in prison. – Bradenton Police Department | Submitted

“Navarrete and his passenger sustained serious injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment. Navarrete displayed signs of impairment and the subsequent DUI investigation revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .165. Navarrete, 27, was previously convicted of DUI and was driving with a suspended license at the time of the crash,” the press release says. 

Traffic homicide investigators arrested Navarrete on the following charges: 

  • Vehicular homicide
  • DUI manslaughter 
  • Driving under the influence (property damage and/or personal injury) 
  • Driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked and causing serious bodily injury or death 

“Navarrete pleaded guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to 25 years in the Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Additionally, Navarrete’s driver’s license was revoked permanently, and he must pay a combined $40,000 in fines and restitution,” the police department press release says.

This crash scene photo was displayed during the trial. – Bradenton Police Department | Submitted

The day after the fatal crash, this message was posted at the Swordfish Grill Facebook page: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news that our beloved bartender, Sara, tragically lost her life after being struck by a drunk driver. Sara was so much more than a coworker — she was family. Her warm smile and kind spirit lit up our restaurant, bringing joy not only to our customers but to every member of our team.”

After the fatal crash, the “Help Sara’s Family Through This Tragic Time” GoFundMe online fundraiser received $56,179 in donations to assist Sara’s children and family.

DUI charge filed in fatal crash

DUI charge filed in fatal crash

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Police Department announced the arrest of a Bradenton man on felony charges related to a Nov. 2 crash that resulted in the death of Sara Danielle Holmes, a 37-year-old mother of two young daughters.

Cesar Navarette, 25, was charged with driving under the influence manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and driving while license suspended causing death or serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony.

According to investigators, Navarrete was driving at an extremely high rate of speed on westbound Cortez Road approaching 43rd Street West at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. He ran a red light and slammed into a Chevrolet Equinox, splitting the vehicle in half.

Holmes, who was in the passenger seat of the Equinox, died as a result of the collision. She was on her way home from her job at Swordfish Grill when the crash occurred.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news that our beloved bartender, Sara, tragically lost her life after being struck by a drunk driver. Sara was so much more than a coworker — she was family,” Swordfish Grill posted on its Facebook page. “Sara leaves behind two young little girls, who will now need all the support they can get. To honor her memory and help her family through this unimaginable time, we’re sharing a GoFundMe link to assist with her funeral costs and to help care for her little ones.”

Navarrete and a passenger in his vehicle, a Nissan Altima, were transported to a hospital for treatment. Police say he showed signs of impairment and the subsequent DUI investigation revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .289, more than three times the legal limit.

Navarrete, who remains hospitalized, was arrested on Sunday on an outstanding Manatee County bench warrant for driving with a suspended license, which was unrelated to this case.

 

Related coverage

https://amisun.com/2024/11/03/mother-of-two-killed-in-crash/