TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)-- Two Tallahassee teens turned themselves in earlier this week after a warrant was issued for their arrest. Hunter Goodwin and Cody Elkins are now facing charges in the death of Lawton Chiles High School freshman, Ansley Rayborn.
A search warrant revealed that several witnesses saw Hunter Goodwin drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before the accident that killed Rayborn. Goodwin was identified as the driver at the time of the crash and documents show he had marijuana in his system.
The State Attorney's Office for the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida explained why Goodwin is facing a charge of vehicular homicide and third degree murder.
Attorney Jeff Siegmeister said, "If you're committing any number of felonies that aren't listed in Florida statue as violent crimes and someone dies at your hands that's 3rd degree murder. And so because the underlying felony in that case is grand theft of a vehicle in cause of death then that would constitute as 3rd degree murder."
The car Goodwin was driving belonged to another passenger in the car, who is also facing charges. Cody Elkins is facing a charge of tampering with evidence for removing alcohol bottles from the scene.
Siegmeister explaned why Elkins is also facing a manslaughter charge. "The manslaughter is charged by culpable negligence. It's a little bit lower standard than reckless driving vehicular driving, but it means you've done more than it just being accidental, that you've committed some act that rises to the level of criminal negligence and someone dies," said Siegmeister.
Both teens have since posted bond and been released from the Leon County Jail. The State Attorney's Office is charging both teens as adults; however, it is up to the judge presiding over the case to determine if they will be sentenced as adults.
Elkins and Goodwin have been placed on curfew and are not allowed to interact with each other or each other's families.
