Posted: 01/09/2012
SARASOTA, Fla. -- A 53-year-old Sarasota woman was hit and killed by a drunk driver, according to Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
It happened Saturday afternoon when troopers say Blake C. Talman, 22, was fleeing from another crash scene.
Talman reportedly lost control of his Nissan Altima on State Road 758 north of Glebe Lane when troopers say he struck Donna L. Chen as she was walking her dog on a sidewalk.
According to authorities, the dog was also hit, and it ran away from the scene.
After the collision, Talman's vehicle also hit landscaping, a street sign, and several wooden poles at the entrance of St. Michael's Archangel Catholic Church.
Meantime, a second vehicle had stopped to avoid Talman's vehicle, but that didn't stop the two cars from coming into contact.
That second driver, an 18-year-old woman, sustained minor injuries.
According to FHP reports, Talman's vehicle also hit a telephone pole before coming to a stop.
Both Talman and his passenger, a 24-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and were transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Investigators say Talman, of Bradenton, faces charges including DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage and personal injury.
Sunday morning, the hospital reported that Talman and the passenger had been discharged.
Talman is currently booked into the Sarasota County Jail.
During his first appearance before a judge, Talman's total bond was set at $100,000. Talman appeared to be very upset, and his attorney revealed that Talman is an expectant father.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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