A Belleview man suspected of driving under the influence has pleaded not guilty to the death of a motorcyclist killed in a crash in May.
Michael Ryan Durham, 41, entered his plea on Thursday, May 28, at the Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. He was arrested on Thursday, May 21, on charge of negligent homicide (DUI cause death to human) and booked at Marion County Jail.
On the day of the crash, an officer responded to the 10800 block of South U.S. Hwy. 441, according to an arrest report from the Belleview Police Department. He arrived to see a black GMC pickup truck in the middle of the intersection and a silver Harley-Davidson lying on its side. The motorcyclist was lying on the ground next to it, being evaluated by medics.
Deputies already on scene informed the officer that Durham drove the truck. As he was being interviewed, medics declared the motorcyclist deceased at 6:13 p.m., the report said.
Durham went on to say he was traveling to get dinner and did not see the motorcycle. The next thing he knew, he was involved in a crash. The officer noticed his breath smelled of alcohol during this conversation, and he spoke with thick-tongued speech. He was subsequently evaluated by medics and submitted to a voluntary blood draw, the report said.
He also agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises, noting that he worked outdoors as a sewer pump tech, carrying heavy hoses, before he began. During the tests, he could not keep his balance, swayed and did not follow instructions. His performance led the officer to conclude that he was under the influence, the report said.
Durham later provided breath samples of 0.145 and 0.140. He ultimately admitted that he drank five or six Mike’s Hard Lemonades after getting off work at 3:30 p.m. He left his house at 6 p.m. to get dinner, and the crash happened at 6:06 p.m., the report said.
He received medical clearance from AdventHealth Ocala before being taken to jail, where he remains. His next court date is June 23.