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Thomas Cifrodella: Driver in fatal January Acreage crash charged with DUI

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The driver of a car involved in a fatal wreck in The Acreage in January has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrested Thomas Cifrodella on Wednesday, nearly seven months after the crash.

Alford Scardina, the driver of the second car involved in the wreck, died from his injuries the next day while in the hospital.

 

According to a crash investigation report by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the crash was caused by Cifrodella, 36, who drove his Chevy Cobalt through a stop sign at the corner of Key Lime Boulevard and Avocado Boulevard, hitting Scardina's Ford van and causing it to roll over.

Investigators said a blood toxicology test found several drugs, including morphine, a cocaine metabolite, and an anxiety medication called alprazolam in Cifrodella's system. Investigators tested Cifrodella’s blood at St. Mary’s Medical Center after the crash, according to the arrest report.

A witness told deputies he was driving behind Scardina and saw Cifrodella’s car run the stop sign at full speed.

Cifrodella who suffered a fractured hip and a head injury got out of the car a stood up after the crash, the report states.

Scardina’s car flipped and he was thrown onto the road. 

Cifrodella was charged with one count of DUI manslaughter and one count of DUI causing injury.

At this time, no bond has been set and he will remain in custody until a status check next week.