Fort Lauderdale

No Bond for Man Charged in Crash That Killed BSO Deputy

A man facing vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter charges in last month's crash that killed an on-duty Broward Sheriff's deputy won't be leaving jail anytime soon.

A judge ordered 32-year-old Darran Joseph Johnson held without bond at a hearing Thursday, a day after his arrest in the July 21 crash in Deerfield Beach that killed Deputy Benjamin Nimtz.

In addition to the vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter charges, Johnson was arrested Wednesday on eleven other criminal counts and infractions related to the crash.

In court Thursday, Johnson had his arm bandaged and in a sling while his attorney argued for his release on bond, with deputies filling the packed courtroom for the hearing. Family members of Johnson also attended the hearing, where the attorney said Johnson has been a longtime employee of a local car dealership and has a five-year-old daughter.

According to Broward Sheriff's Office officials, the crash happened around 3 a.m. as Nimtz was responding to a domestic dispute call with his emergency lights and siren on. As Nimtz approached the intersection of Military Trail and Southwest 10th Street, Johnson, who was driving a Toyota Tundra above the posted 45 mph speed limit, ran a red light and struck Nimtz's car, officials said.

Nimtz and Johnson were both taken to Broward Health North, where Nimtz later died from his injuries. Johnson was treated and released later that week.

"Investigators said impairment on the part of Johnson is also considered a contributing factor in the fatal crash," BSO officials said in a statement.

Nimtz is survived by his wife and two children. Thousands gathered in Fort Lauderdale earlier this month at his funeral services.

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