Dui driver accused kills a mother of 3 hours after leaving jail for driving with disabilities: Hcso

Tampa, fla. – It is suspected that a driver that the deputies were under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine to kill a mother of three children and seriously hurt the children hours after being released from jail for driving under influence.

The background history:

According to him Hillsborough County The Sheriff’s office, Nicholas Betancourt, 33, was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff Office to drive under the influence on February 27.

The authorities say it was released the next day around 9 am

HCSO says that around 3:45 pm that same day, Betancourt, whose license was suspended, drove to the north in Gunn Highway when he entered the lanes to the south and hit another vehicle.

READ: Tampa teacher accused of stealing almost $ 75k from the Alessi bakery: Affidavit

The accident killed Dana Rivera, 36, and seriously wounded three of her children: a 4 -year -old girl, a 6 -year -old girl and a 15 -year -old girl.

Nicholas Betancourt Mugshot courtesy of the Sheriff’s office of Hillsborough County.

The researchers say that Betancourt showed signs of disability, but was taken to a hospital in the area for injuries to both legs.

According to detectives, Betancourt was under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine. During the search for their vehicle, the agents said they found multiple drugs, such as methamphetamine, mushrooms, cocaine, mdma, oxycodone, Xanax and Carisoprodol.

READ: Tampa teacher accused of stealing almost $ 75k from the Alessi bakery: Affidavit

On March 13, 2025, Betancourt was arrested and accused of:

• Driving under Homicide influence
• Vehicular homicide
• Driving under influence with property or injuries (X2)
• Driving under the influence of serious body injuries (X2)
• Reckless driving with serious bodily injuries (X2)
• Reckless driving with damage to property or injury (x2)
• Drive with a suspended license that results in death
• Driving with a suspended license that results in serious bodily injuries (X2)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (X7)
• Cocaine possession
• Possession of a controlled substance (x6)

What they are saying:

“A mother lost her life, and her children will carry that emotional scar forever. The life of this family was shattered in an instant due to the selfish and reckless decision of a man,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Nicholas Betancourt decided to drive under influence not once, but twice in just hours, which led to a tragedy that could have been completely avoided.”

“Nothing will bring your mother back or erase the trauma that these children will carry for the rest of their lives, but we want them to know they are not alone. We will be next to them,” added the Sheriff Chronister. “We will do everything within our reach to ensure that this man is responsible for the devastation he has caused. I hope this arrest gives Dana Rivera a sense of peace and justice.”

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