A 22-year-old woman in Florida is heading to prison after a drunk-driving crash left two women seriously injured. The tragic incident happened near the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, a popular tourist spot, on January 7, 2024.
The driver, Shannon King, was speeding down Avenida Menendez when her car veered onto the sidewalk, hitting two pedestrians, Riley McGovern and Addie Meyers. Witnesses say McGovern bravely tried to push Meyers out of harm’s way, putting herself in danger. Both women were seriously hurt in the crash.
One bystander, who saw the horrifying scene unfold, described the chaos to police. “I saw her body fly, but I didn’t see the second girl get hit,” the witness said, as captured on body camera footage released by local media.
After hitting the women, King’s car didn’t stop immediately. It kept moving, eventually crashing into a parking sign and a payment kiosk before finally coming to a stop in a nearby lot. When officers arrived, King, visibly upset and crying, asked about the victims. “I’m scared, and my mom is probably scared,” she said through tears.
Police later confirmed that King had been drinking and her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Body camera footage also captured her repeatedly asking for updates on the victims’ condition while being transported by officers. At the time, McGovern had been placed in a medically induced coma due to the severity of her injuries.
Shannon King was charged with multiple felonies, including DUI causing serious bodily injury and reckless driving. She recently pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to four years and ten months in prison, followed by probation.
The sheriff’s department confirmed that witnesses at the scene saw King’s car traveling at a dangerously high speed before it jumped onto the sidewalk, hitting McGovern and Meyers. The crash has left a lasting impact on both women and their families.
This tragic story serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving, not only for those directly involved but for everyone affected by such reckless behavior.
