Inset: Michael Barr (Falkenburg Road Jail). Background: The Falkenburg Road Jail in Tampa, Florida (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office).
A man in Florida killed a cyclist while driving before admitting to police that he had consumed four beers that night and reasoned that the victim was in the middle of the road, authorities say.
Michael Barr, 37, has been charged with DUI manslaughter, according to Hillsborough County records reviewed by Law&Crime. Authorities have not released the name of the victim.
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On Saturday at about 3 a.m., Barr was driving on U.S. 41 near Gibsonton, an unincorporated community just south of Tampa. The defendant was in a Mazda sedan, regional Fox affiliate WTVT reported.
A cyclist was traveling at the same time along the west shoulder of the road, according to an arrest affidavit from the Florida Highway Patrol. Suddenly, Barr’s vehicle struck the victim.
Troopers were called to the scene, and they pronounced the unidentified victim dead. Barr was still there, and he allegedly admitted he had been involved in a crash but said the cyclist was in the center of the road.
Investigators reportedly detected a smell of alcohol coming from the suspect, as well as bloodshot and glassy eyes and a lack of balance.
Barr told officers that he had been at a bar in Ybor City, which is about 10 miles north, and had had four beers, according to the court document. When he did field sobriety exercises, Barr allegedly showed signs of impairment.
The defendant was arrested and charged. He is being detained in the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond.
It is unclear when Barr is expected to appear in court.
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