Witnesses to Nov. 2 DUI fatal crash asked to contact investigators
November 15, 2024
Case #:2024-008947
(UPDATE - November 21) - Today, a Manatee County Judge denied bond for Cesar Navarrete, 25, the driver charged in the Nov. 2 crash that killed Sara Holmes, 37. Navarrete had requested a reduction in his $1.25-million-dollar bond. The judge determined he should, instead, be held without bond. Navarrete will be arraigned on Dec. 27. Our investigation is ongoing.
BPD's Traffic Homicide investigators continue gathering witness statements regarding the November 2 crash at Cortez Rd and 43rd St W. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who was in the area in the moments before or after and who hasn't already spoken to investigators, is asked to contact Officer Ian Emrich at ian.emrich@bradentonpd.com.
According to investigators, Cesar Navarrete, 25, was driving at an extremely high rate of speed on westbound Cortez Road approaching 43rd Street W. at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024. He ran a red light and slammed into a Chevrolet Equinox, splitting the vehicle in half. Sara-Danielle Holmes, 37, who was in the passenger seat of the Equinox, died as a result of the collision. The driver of the Equinox was also injured.
Navarrete and a passenger in his Nissan Altima were transported to a hospital for treatment. Navarrete displayed signs of impairment, and the subsequent DUI investigation revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .289.
Cesar Navarrete, who was driving with a suspended license, currently faces the following charges:
DUI Manslaughter, a second-degree felony
Driving While License Suspended Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury, a third-degree felony
Navarrete had an outstanding warrant at the time of the crash. He was arrested on the warrant the night of the crash while at the hospital. BPD then obtained arrest warrants for Navarrete and charged him on Nov. 4 with DUI Manslaughter and Driving While License Suspended Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury. Navarrete remained hospitalized for several days and, once discharged, was transferred to the medical facility at the jail.
