Driver charged with DUI manslaughter after passenger killed in crash

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Troopers said a driver has been arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter after his passenger was killed in a Lake County crash early Saturday morning.

The suspect, 31-year-old Chad Edmondson, was driving his Ford SUV southbound on County Road 452 near Leesburg when he lost control for unknown reasons around 2:45 a.m., troopers said. Edmondson's vehicle overturned and crashed, causing his passenger to be thrown from the vehicle.

The passenger, 31-year-old Joseph Kauska of Lady Lake, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Edmondson was not injured, troopers said.

Investigators said Edmondson was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was booked into the Lake County jail on a DUI manslaughter charge.

According to court records, Edmondson was arrested for driving under the influence in Marion County in 2006.

WFTV