Jury Convicts Pavel Naranjo in DUI Manslaughter Case
A Lee County jury found Pavel Naranjo guilty of DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license following a 2017 crash.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Financial Crime
A jury in Lee County reached a guilty verdict against Pavel Naranjo for DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license. The conviction follows a fatal 2017 crash on Summerlin Boulevard in Fort Myers that resulted in the death of a passenger.
Why it matters
The verdict concludes a three-day trial regarding the 2017 incident where Naranjo drove a motorcycle off the roadway and down an embankment. Naranjo was found to have a blood alcohol content nearly double the legal limit at the time of the fatal crash.
The jury reached a guilty verdict after deliberating for 22 minutes following a three-day trial in Lee County. Sentencing for Pavel Naranjo is set for October 19, 2026.
The players
Pavel Naranjo
Pavel Naranjo is the defendant who was found guilty of DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.
The details
Naranjo was convicted on charges of DUI manslaughter and driving while his license was suspended, revoked, or canceled. The crash occurred when the motorcycle he was operating left Summerlin Boulevard and descended an embankment, causing the death of his passenger.
Timeline
The motorcycle crash occurred in 2017.
The jury returned the guilty verdict on October 15, 2026.
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on October 19, 2026.
Legal Context
This conviction adheres to the framework of Florida's DUI manslaughter sentencing guidelines, which dictate the penalties for fatal impaired driving incidents. It reflects the broader application of state statutes regarding vehicular homicide when a driver operates a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.
The resolution of this case brings closure to a years-long legal process stemming from the 2017 incident on Summerlin Boulevard. Residents are reminded that local authorities continue to enforce strict penalties for impaired driving to ensure public safety on city roadways.
The takeaway
This case highlights the severe legal consequences of driving under the influence with a suspended license. Drivers should be aware that such violations significantly increase the penalties associated with fatal traffic accidents.
What happens next
Pavel Naranjo is scheduled to be sentenced by the court on October 19, 2026.
Further reading
For more on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Fort Myers financial-crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBBH.
