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Ex-Yankee Charged with DUI Manslaughter in Florida

Jim Leyritz, former major league baseball player, has been charged with DUI manslaughter in Florida.  Leyritz says the fatal accident that killed 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch was not his fault and he is planning on fighting the charges against him.

The former New York Yankee told the Miami Herald that “there was no possibility of me avoiding that crash with all of my senses.  A mother was taken from her kids.  I can’t change that.  But I didn’t do it.  The accident did.  And that accident wasn’t my fault.”

Prosecutors have a different opinion than Leyritz.  He is scheduled to face trial on September 14, 2009 in connection with his involvement in the fatal Florida car accident that occurred in December 2007.  According to law enforcement, Leyritz was driving drunk when he ran a red light in his SUV and caused the crash that killed Veitch in Fort. Lauderdale.  Authorities say Veitch was also drunk at the time of the accident.

Leyritz’s life has already been impacted by the DUI manslaughter charges.  He said that he has had to sell memorabilia because he has no money and has stopped charity work because he has become a social pariah.  Leyritz has to breathe into a Breathalyzer machine every time he wants to start his car.  He has been reviewing witness testimony, police reports and deposition pages.  Also, he has visited the crash site several times to take pictures.

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