Judge Mark Wilson sentenced a Key West woman to 12 years in prison after she was convicted of DUI manslaughter, following a fatal crash in which her car hit and killed a bicyclist on U.S. 1 in March 2022.
Blood tests showed that Olivia Binek-Thibodeaux, 37, was driving under the influence of methamphetamine on the afternoon of March 4, 2022, when her white BMW swerved out of the southbound lane and onto the paved sidewalk, where college student Michael Diezel III was riding his bicycle with his father near MM 5. Diezel was killed instantly, according to the medical examiner’s report.
“Eyewitnesses observed the BMW repeatedly swerve from its lane of travel before entering the shoulder and striking the bicyclist,” states a report from the state attorney’s office. “Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators, through scene analysis, vehicle examination and crash reconstruction, independently determined that the BMW failed to maintain its lane of travel and entered the shoulder, striking Diezel III. Investigators further determined that the BMW did not brake prior to impact, despite having sufficient distance to stop. The impact caused catastrophic injuries and Diezel III was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Six hours after the crash, Thibodeaux tested positive for 0.133 nanograms of methamphetamine, an amount sufficient to cause impairment, and an amount that experts told the jury was likely much higher six hours prior, when the crash occurred.
In addition to the 12-year prison sentence, Judge Wilson sentenced Binek-Thibodeaux to three years of probation after release, a lifetime driver’s license revocation, 50 hours of community service, two random urinalysis screenings per week, and attendance at three NA/AA meetings per week.
The four-day trial took place in Key West, where a jury, after deliberating for three hours, found Binek-Thibodeaux guilty of DUI manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter.
After the verdict, the judge granted the defendant’s motion for acquittal on the vehicular manslaughter charge. Wilson ruled that, “while the evidence established impairment and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, it did not meet the heightened legal standard of recklessness required to sustain a conviction for vehicular homicide under Florida law,” according to a statement from the state attorney’s office. “The court determined there was insufficient proof that the defendant operated the vehicle in a willful or wanton manner demonstrating a conscious disregard for the safety of others, and a judgment of acquittal was entered as to that count.”
Sentencing occurred based only on the DUI manslaughter conviction. Binek-Thibodeaux’s attorneys announced their plans to appeal, and Wilson allowed her to be released on a $50,000 bond pending her appeal.
“This case represents the kind of irreversible loss that impaired driving leaves behind,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Joe Mansfield, who prosecuted the case. “A young man set out on a bicycle ride with his father and never made it home. The court’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions. Our thoughts remain with the Diezel family, who have shown strength and grace throughout these proceedings.”
