Lake Placid man Thomas Raulerson sentenced to 14 years for DUI manslaughter in head-on crash that killed teenage girl

Lake Placid man Thomas Raulerson was sentenced to 14 years in prison after a 2025 DUI crash killed a 16-year-old girl. His BAC was five times the legal limit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 4:59 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Tampa Bay 28 News

The Tragic Events of May 2025

The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a devastating case that began on the afternoon of May 22, 2025. According to investigators from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Thomas Raulerson was operating a Ford F350 pickup truck traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 98 near Lorida. At approximately 4 p.m., Raulerson’s vehicle crossed the center line and entered the eastbound lane, directly into the path of a red Honda Civic driven by a 16-year-old female from Lake Placid. The resulting head-on collision was so severe that the victim’s car was forced off the roadway, striking a construction barrel before coming to a rest. Emergency responders pronounced the teenager dead at the scene.

Extreme Intoxication and Legal Proceedings

Throughout the investigation and subsequent trial, the most shocking detail emerged regarding Raulerson’s state of sobriety at the time of the crash. Forensic testing revealed that Raulerson had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .464. In the state of Florida, the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is .08, meaning Raulerson was driving with a BAC more than five times the legal threshold. This level of intoxication is considered life-threatening and far exceeds the point of total physical and cognitive impairment. Consequently, the prosecution sought a rigorous sentence, emphasizing the extreme negligence involved in choosing to drive in such a condition.

Judicial Sentencing and Permanent Sanctions

On Tuesday, a Highlands County judge handed down a 14-year prison sentence for the charge of DUI manslaughter. The court also addressed the secondary charge of DUI property damage, for which Raulerson received an additional two years of probation. Beyond the period of incarceration, the legal consequences for Raulerson are permanent; the court ordered that his driver’s license be revoked for life, ensuring he will never legally operate a vehicle in Florida again. He was also ordered to pay $2,492 in restitution to the victim’s family to cover costs associated with the incident.