Two die in crash – may be alcohol related

A 2010 Dodge Avenger traveling southbound on I-95 at a high rate of speed; was observed overtaking slower moving vehicles at about 8:00 p.m. last night; before the driver made an abrupt lane change and lost control of the vehicle.

Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators say that the driver, 45-year-old James A. Guthrie, traveled onto the west shoulder of the Interstate. The vehicle rotated clockwise 360-degrees on the wet grass — the right side struck a tree.

Investigators report that Guthrie, who lived at 7000 Catlett Road in St Augustine, may have been drinking before the crash that killed him and his 16-year-old son, Anthony Guthrie.

The driver died at the scene; Anthony Guthrie was transported to Flagler Hospital and transferred to Shands Hospital Jacksonville before he died.

Two other passengers, 15-year-old Autumn Guthrie and 32-year-old Charles Parliament IV, suffered only minor injuries according to the incident report. The Dodge Avenger sustained an estimated $20,000 in damage.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing and toxicology reports will determine the amount of alcohol in the victim’s blood. All four occupants were wearing their seatbelts, the report said.