PALM BAY, Fla. — A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run, Palm Bay police said.
Clarence Lakeman, 69, was returning home from playing dominoes—a game his wife said was his passion—at about midnight Friday when police said he was struck head-on by another driver on Babcock Street.
His wife, Nancy Horne-Lakeman, got the call two hours after the crash
“They said, ‘Well, he was in an accident.’ He was in an accident,” she said through tears.
Police said Shane Dreher drove into oncoming traffic and struck Lakeman’s van.
When a good Samaritan stopped and tried to help, Dreher punched the helper and ran away, police said.
Dreher was spotted by a Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Police said his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
His arrest on Friday was his fourth DUI arrest.
Dreher bonded out of jail on Saturday.
Horne-Lakeman said she’s heartbroken.
“I don’t know what kind of life (Dreher) had, but right now I’m so hurt he killed my husband,” she said.
She had known Lakeman for more than 20 years. They tied the knot four years ago.
Horne-Lakeman said her husband was excited to turn 70 next month.
"He was saying this was going to be the biggest birthday party he ever had, and he deserved it,” she said.
[ Driver charged with his third DUI after fatal Brevard County crash ]