Cocoa Man Found Guilty by Brevard County Jury For DUI Manslaughter

Cody Michael Gates, 29, faces up to 15 years in prison

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – A Brevard County jury has rendered a guilty verdict Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of DUI manslaughter.

Cody Michael Gates, 29, now faces up to 15-years in prison when he is sentenced in July.

On March 30, 2015, around 1:50 a.m., Cocoa patrol officers responded to a report of a vehicle crashing into a building near the intersection of U.S. 1 and SR 520. When officers arrived they found a truck inside the building at 440 West King Street.

The passenger in the vehicle, identified as Darryl Millelot, 26, was immediately determined to be deceased on scene.

The driver, identified as Gates, was safely removed from the vehicle with only minor injuries. Responding officers believed the driver was under the influence at the time of the crash. Further investigation revealed Gates had a blood alcohol of .201, nearly three times the legal limit. Evidence at the crash scene also revealed multiple containers of alcohol inside the vehicle.

Prior to the crash a sheriff’s deputy witnessed the vehicle traveling west on 520 in Merritt Island. The deputy estimated the speed to be approximately 120 miles per hour.

The deputy followed the vehicle into Cocoa. As the driver approached the intersection near U.S. 1 he failed to navigate a sharp turn and crashed into the building.

Gates’ sentencing is scheduled for July 3.

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