Staff report
NEWBERRY, Fla. – Carrie Janeene Russell, aged 46 and a teacher at Oak View Middle School, has been arrested and is facing two vehicular homicide charges. She is accused of veering into the path of oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision with a pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old pregnant woman from Newberry in February 2024. Tragically, the pregnant woman was declared dead after being transported to a hospital.
Alachua County Public Schools spokeswoman Jackie Johnson said Russell was placed on administrative leave yesterday.
On February 16, around 7:38 p.m., the pickup truck, driven by the young woman from Newberry, was heading north on U.S. Hwy 27/45. Witnesses reported that an SUV, moving southbound, crossed over into the northbound lane by three feet, colliding head-on with the pickup truck. The SUV driver was later identified as Russell.
Following the incident, an extensive screen for drugs and alcohol was performed on Russell, returning results that showed a blood alcohol level of 0.11/100mL, which exceeds the legal threshold of 0.08/100mL. Additionally, there was 57ng/mL of amphetamine detected. The victim’s blood sample, taken during the autopsy, showed no presence of alcohol or drugs.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigation concluded that Russell was solely responsible for the crash and the death of the woman and her unborn child, as well as the damage to both vehicles.
Russell has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. She has no criminal history, and Judge James Colaw ordered bail set at $500,000. Judge Colaw also ordered that she be fitted with a transdermal alcohol detection device and surrender her passport to her attorney.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
