Tampa woman facing DUI manslaughter charge

TAMPA - An 18-year-old Tampa woman is facing a variety of charges stemming from a fatal crash in November that claimed the life of a California man.

Charlotte Virginia Sowards was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on one count of DUI manslaughter, one count of vehicular homicide, three counts of DUI with serious bodily injury and three counts of reckless driving with serious bodily injury.

She was released after posting a bond of $35,000.

According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office report Sowards was impaired when she drove her 1997 Cadillac Seville on Saturday night, November 20, 2010.

Investigators say just after 9:30 pm she was driving at twice the posted speed limit on Wood St. when she ran two stops signs before hitting a 1994 Honda driven by Jason Plummer of Fresno, California.

Plummer, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene. Four passengers traveling with him – all residents of Tampa - were injured.

Jean Flores, 18, suffered a serious head injury.

Alexandra Ceballos, 17, had her pelvis broken in the crash.

Anthony Adams, 23, suffered a head injury and Daniella Campo, 16, had several contusions.

Sowards exhibited signs of impairment at the scene and six hours after the crash her blood alcohol content was 0.74.