Blood test reveals driver had used cocaine and methadone

The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office reported to Historic City News this morning that the results of a forensic blood test, collected at a fatal traffic crash last year, proves that the driver involved was under the influence of cocaine and methadone.

On Wednesday morning, July 8, 2015, sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Kelshaw informed local news reporters that 54-year-old Henry A Smith of Jacksonville, was walking northbound in the grass along the west shoulder of US-1.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., witnesses told traffic homicide investigators that 22-year-old Courtney Michelle Stack was driving southbound in a 2013 Honda Civic. When she reached a point just south of Lewis Speedway, she drove completely off the roadway, striking Smith, according to evidence recovered from the scene.

The victim was transported to Flagler Hospital by emergency medical personnel with St Johns Fire Rescue; however, he died at the hospital a short time later as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Armed with the toxicology report, on March 21, 2016, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Stack who resides at 5307 Shorecrest Drive, in Jacksonville. She has been charged with causing the death of a human being by operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating drugs.

Stack was located in Jacksonville with assistance from the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force. She surrendered herself at the St Johns County Detention Facility yesterday.

The defendant was released after posting a $51,000 appearance bond.