Reorganized driver hours after his release for a mortal shock killing mom, wounding her children

Tampa, Florida (CBS12) – A man met behind bars, the same day he was released, after killing a mother and seriously injured his three children in a fatal accident in February.

On February 27, Nicholas Betancourt was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office for a DUI. He was released the day after at 9 in the morning, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office says that hours later at 3:45 PM Betancourt drove to the north in Gunn Highway when he suddenly entered the southern lanes and crashed into another vehicle.

Hillsborough County agents say the mortal clash killed Dana Rivera, a mother of three 36 -year -old children. Her three children, a 4 -year -old girl, a 6 -year -old girl and a 15 -year -old girl were also seriously injured.

“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.

The deputies say that Betancourt, 33, showed signs of being under the influence, but took him to the hospital due to injuring the two legs during the accident.

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The sheriff’s office said that his investigation revealed at the time of Betancourt accident had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. When the agents registered their vehicle, they also found methamphetamine, mushrooms, cocaine, mdma, oxycodone, Xanax and Carisoprodol.

On Thursday, Betancourt was arrested and hired in the Hillsborough County prison from Hillsborough County for charges of:

• Drive
• Vehicular homicide
• DUI with property damage
• DUI with serious bodily injuries
• Reckless driving with property damage
• Drive with a suspended license that results in death
• Driving with a suspended license that results in serious body injuries
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Cocaine possession
• Possession of a controlled substance

“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.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office said the accident remains under investigation.

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