HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A 50-year-old Hillsborough County woman is facing charges after a crash that left her granddaughter with fatal injuries.
- Grandmother, 50, charged in crash after granddaughter dies
- FHP: Helen Mention was driving with 10-month-old in her lap
- Mention arrested, charged with DUI manslaughter, aggravated manslaughter of a child
Helen Sabrina Mention crashed her 2001 Nissan Altima into a guardrail while attempting to drive onto Interstate 4 from Mango Road at 9 a.m. on Oct. 25, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said at the time of the crash, Mention had her 10-month-old granddaughter in her lap. In addition to not having the child in a car seat, Mention was not wearing a seatbelt, according to officials.
Also, troopers said Mention was impaired while driving.
Both Mention and her granddaughter were transported to Tampa General Hospital. The child died on Oct. 28 though authorities have not said what injuries the child sustained or what was the cause of death.
Mention was treated at the hospital, where a blood draw determined she had a 0.225 blood-alcohol level, almost three times the legal limit.
On Monday, Mention was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter, aggravated manslaughter of a child, careless driving and violating Florida’s child restraint law.
Mention, who has a lengthy arrest history of drug and driving offenses, is being held without bail.
Helen Sabrina Mention crashed her 2001 Nissan Altima into a guardrail while attempting to drive onto Interstate 4 from Mango Road at 9 a.m. on Oct. 25, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. (Hillsborough County Jail)