An arrest warrant has been issued for a man the Florida Highway Patrol say was driving under the influence when he crashed his car on Christmas Eve 2021, leading to the death of two passengers.
Police are seeking the arrest of Jerrod Deonta James, 33, of Haines City, who FHP said was driving a Kia Forte southbound on Vineland Road approaching U.S. Highway 192 around 4:40 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2021. According to FHP's crash report, the car reportedly traveled across the road and into the parking lot of the Golden Link Motel, which is on 192 at the end of Vineland and has been the site of many crashes like this over the years. The Kia struck a post on the driver's side. Two passengers in the car, Angelina Joline Anderson, 18, of Kissimmee, and Giovanna Danaisha Shacqui Anderson, 31, of Clermont, were pronounced dead on the scene.
According to the report, James was not using his seat belt and was totally ejected from the vehicle, and was transported, along with two other passengers, to Osceola County Regional Hospital (now HCA Florida Osceola). The evidence later revealed that the James was driving the vehicle under the influence at the time of the crash.
An arrest warrant for James was signed on Dec. 19, 2022. The charges for the active warrant included two counts each of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide and one count of driving with a suspended license involving death.
Since the issue of the warrant, FHP has been actively searching for the suspect. FHP is now seeking the public’s assistance with locating the suspect to make an arrest. Anyone with information regarding Jerrod James’s whereabouts is asked to contact FHP at 407-737-2213. If they would like to remain anonymous then they can contact CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.
