Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ronesha Nichole Butler, 32, has received a sentence of seven years in prison, followed by three years of probation, after pleading nolo contendere to DUI manslaughter.

Butler was arrested on September 10, 2024, facing charges of vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, DUI with injury, and driving with a suspended license due to a head-on collision on August 30 that resulted in the death of one passenger and injuries to another.

Around 6 p.m. on August 30, Butler was operating a 2020 Toyota Camry southward on NE Waldo Road, near NW 53rd Avenue, when the vehicle collided head-on with a utility pole at high speed. Charles Brautcheck, occupying the rear driver’s side seat, was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries and later passed away. The front seat passenger, who suffered a fractured collarbone, reportedly stated that Butler had been drinking; this passenger recounted an argument with Butler, after which she allegedly threatened to “kill them.” Moments later, as per the passenger, the vehicle impacted the utility pole.

At the hospital, Butler was reportedly “screaming and incoherent”; a blood draw reportedly showed a blood alcohol content of 0.188 g/100mL, which is equivalent to a breath concentration of .172 g/210L, over twice the legal limit.

Butler, who has been held without bail on Judge David Kreider’s order, entered a plea of nolo contendere to a charge of DUI leading to death (DUI manslaughter), with a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison; following her plea, Judge Kreider sentenced her to seven years in prison with credit for 309 days served, followed by three years of probation. Her driver’s license will also be suspended for life.