A rideshare passenger died after a high-speed collision and the accused speeder is facing a charge of vehicular homicide, Hollywood Police said.
Leighton Malord Hutton, 23, was driving a 2016 Kia Sorento south in the 500 block of Federal Highway going an estimated 63 mph in a 35 mph zone, about 8 p.m. July 28, according to the police report.
A 2019 Nissan Rogue was heading west on Fillmore Street when it was struck on the rear passenger side by the Kia. It continued through the intersection before hitting a house on the corner. The Nissan came to rest on the front lawn of another house, the report stated.
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The Nissan’s passenger, a 52-year-old Miami woman, was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood and pronounced dead. The Broward Medical Examiner said the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.
The rideshare driver in the Nissan was identified as Jaimes Richardson, 65, according to the crash report.
"Leighton had the right of way," said Suzette A. Kelly, Hutton's godmother. "If the Lyft driver had waited at the stop sign, no accident would have happened."
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Richardson told police he stopped at the stop sign and the road appeared to be clear as he traveled westbound on Fillmore through the intersection. Hutton told police he saw the Nissan, slowed down, and tried to change lanes to avoid the collision, the report stated.
Surveillance video from a Rodeway Inn showed the Kia speeding past the motel. The Kia’s event data recorder also showed the vehicle was going over 60 mph before impact, police said.
Hutton surrendered Aug. 19 and was released from the Broward County Jail two days later on bonds totaling $54,000, records showed.
