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Driver In Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Arrested

Photo provided by Florida Highway Patrol

Cheryl Maria Riemann was taken from Tampa General Hospital to the Orient Road Jail this morning.

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TBO.com

Published: September 13, 2008

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  Cheryl Riemann

BRANDON - The driver who crashed into another vehicle while she was going the wrong way on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway, killing a young mother, was arrested today on four charges, including drunken-driving manslaughter, authorities said.

Cheryl Maria Riemann, 25, of Ruskin, was arrested at Tampa General Hospital this morning and transported directly to the Orient Road Jail, Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins said. Her charges included vehicular homicide, DUI-manslaughter, DUI involving serious injury and reckless driving, Gaskins reported.

Tests after the crash showed Riemann's blood alcohol level was 0.244, about three times the legal limit, he said. She would not give a statement to investigators when she was arrested this morning.

Riemann was being held today with no bail set.

Troopers located video showing Riemann running over traffic cones at the Crosstown's 78th Street toll plaza before heading the wrong way on the highway, Gaskins said.

The crash occurred at 2:18 p.m. Wednesday. Riemann's 2008 Honda Pilot first was seen traveling the wrong way by witnesses on the lower deck of the Crosstown about a half-mile east of the 78th Street toll plaza. At the Palm River Road overpass, the vehicle crashed into Jennifer O'Boyle's 1998 Pontiac, which was westbound. Riemann traveled the wrong way for about 2.2 miles, Gaskins said.

O'Boyle's car spun into the path of a 2005 Honda van driven by Munir Humera of Tampa before stopping on the road's shoulder. Two more vehicles struck Humera's van. She and the other two drivers were not seriously hurt and were treated at the scene.

O'Boyle, 24, died at the scene. Her 4-year-old daughter, Summer Moll, was taken to the hospital with a shattered leg and swelling in her brain, Gaskins said.

Troopers say Riemann had an unopened bottle of Budweiser beer in a cup holder in the SUV and more unopened bottles on the floor of the passenger side. At least one bottle shattered in the crash, Gaskins said.

Records show Riemann was found guilty of a handful of traffic violations in recent years, including driving without a license in 2005.

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