FORMER COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER CRASHES INTO KISSIMMEE AIRPORT
A man driving a stolen car crashed through a fence at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport last week where he went on to an active runway, entered a helicopter and started pushing buttons in an attempt to fly it away, according to the Kissimmee Police Department. The incident began with an 8 a.m. hit-and-run crash report near the intersection of Oak Street and Forrest Avenue.
Police said the driver was 31-year-old Brandon Marti and that after crashing, he then broke into an occupied home on Forrest Avenue, took a pair of car keys and drove away in a silver Nissan Altima parked in the driveway. Marti — a former football player for the University of Miami — then drove the stolen car to the airport where he rammed into a gate, leaving the car inoperable, according to police records.
He then ran to a Ford F-150, took the truck and dragged its owner behind the vehicle. Marti then drove the truck to a helicopter, got inside, turned the keys in the ignition and pressed buttons in an attempt to start the aircraft, according to the report. Security guards confronted him and he drove off again.
Officers were able to stop him by blowing out the truck’s tires after a short pursuit. The truck stopped at the entrance to Partin Village Shopping Plaza and Marti then attempted to carjack another driver, KPD said.
Deputies apprehended Marti using a taser.
Authorities said Marti was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, attempted carjacking, fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest.
KISSIMMEE WOMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER IN POINCIANA CRASH
A woman who told authorities she had been drinking and smoking pot struck and killed another motorists about 5 a.m. on Monday, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred on Marigold Avenue at Walnut Street in Poinciana. Phalande Celestin, 22, was found deceased in her blue 2018 Toyota sedan when first responders arrived.
Dawn Nathaniel, the other driver who authorities said caused the crash, was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. During initial contact with Nathaniel, who was driving alone, first responders noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from her. Celestin was southbound on Marigold, while Nathaniel drove northbound but in the same lane.
As the vehicles neared the intersection with Walnut Street, another vehicle driving in front of Celestin made an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision. Celestin also attempted to avoid a collision, but her car was struck head-on by Nathaniel.
During an interview at the hospital with detectives, the 46-year-old Kissimmee woman admitted to drinking wine and smoking marijuana while she was in Orlando prior to the crash.
“The victim was still very young...her life was really just getting started. But it all comes to an end because someone made the wrong decision to drive after using alcohol and marijuana. I can only offer condolences to the victim’s family and friends, and to promise that our detectives will do all they can to prevent Dawn Nathaniel from getting behind the wheel of a car again anytime soon,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Hospital toxicology testing indicated a Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .230 (grams of ethanol per liter of blood) when she was admitted.
Following her treatment and release from the hospital, Nathaniel was arrested and booked at the Polk County Jail. After her arrival, she provided two breath samples that gave a result of .058 and a .059 (breath alcohol concentration). These samples were acquired eight hours after the crash and were consistent with the blood test at the hospital.
In addition to being charged with DUI Manslaughter, Nathaniel was charged with DUI with Property Damage, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI.
