Suncoast man convicted of vehicular homicide

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

Via State Attorney Ed Brodsky

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced on Friday, April 17th, that Cesar Navarrete was convicted after a sentencing hearing of four (4) criminal charges:

1. Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter
2. Vehicular Homicide
3. Driving While License Suspended Causing Death
4. Driving Under the Influence (Property Damage and/or Personal Injury)

The sentencing hearing was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on April 16, 2026.

The DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years (DUI Manslaughter also carries a 4-year minimum mandatory prison sentence), the Driving While License Suspended Causing Death carries a maximum penalty prison sentence of 5 years, and the DUI (PD/PI) carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 1 year.

On the evening of November 2, 2024, Bradenton Police Department responded to a high-speed two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 43rd Street West and Cortez Road West. The car driven by the defendant was traveling west on Cortez Road. The victim, Ms. Sara Holmes, was the front passenger of the car that was traveling east on Cortez Road and was attempting to make a left turn when the defendant crashed into the victim’s side of the car. A crash analysis indicated that the defendant was traveling at 115MPH at the moment of the crash. The posted speed limit is 45MPH. There was no evidence to indicate that there was any effort on the part of the defendant to brake or avoid the crash from occurring. The defendant’s blood alcohol level was over double the legal limit for alcohol consumption. The victim’s vehicle was effectively sawed in half and the rear part of her vehicle traveled approximately 130ft away from the front half ending up in a nearby business parking lot. In addition to being twice over the legal limit for alcohol, the defendant has a prior 2021 conviction for Driving Under the Influence and Driving While License Suspended. At the time he committed the crimes, the defendant had an active driver’s license suspension. The defendant also had an active bench warrant for failure to appear for a pending misdemeanor Driving While License Suspended at the time these crimes were committed.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Michael Anolfo, commented, “Justice was served at the sentencing hearing. The defendant was ultimately sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years probation. Due to all the aggravating factors in this case, the Court sentenced the defendant consecutively on his criminal charges. I would like to thank the friends and family members of the victims in this case who spoke at the sentencing hearing in support of the State’s recommended sentence. We appreciate the hard work of the Bradenton Police Department on their investigation.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Michael Anolfo in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.