A former Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal collision that killed two pedestrians in July.
The Florida Highway Patrol announced Nov. 21 it had completed its investigation into the crash and was issuing the vehicular homicide warrants for Greg Nesmith, who they said is cooperating with the investigation.
Around 3 a.m. July 5, Nesmith, a 32-year law enforcement veteran, was driving an unmarked ECSO vehicle directly back from a Sheriff’s Office approved security detail at the Flora-Bama. He struck Nicole Moore and Jackson Cunningham, both 20-year-olds from Alabama, as they were crossing Perdido Key Drive in a pedestrian crosswalk near River Road.
The victims’ families say Nicole’s body was thrown 70 feet and Jackson’s body was 160 feet away from initial impact. The families have both filed civil lawsuits against Nesmith alleging his negligence caused the crash.
Nesmith resigned from the sheriff’s office a few days after the accident, but through his attorney Dennis Green previously told the News Journal he was acting fully within the course and scope of his employment at time of the incident.
“This was a very tragic accident, and Lieutenant Greg Nesmith and his family continue to keep everyone affected in their thoughts and prayers,” Green said. “There are no words that can ease the grief of those who lost loved ones, and Lieutenant Nesmith has expressed his deepest sympathy from the beginning. This matter has placed a tremendous emotional strain on him and his family as they continue to navigate a deeply difficult process.”
The Florida Highway Patrol said at this time Nesmith has not been placed under arrest, only charges assessed and warrants created.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Former deputy faces vehicular homicide charges in deadly Perdido crash
Reporting by Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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