Eric Malone spent ten years in prison, five years on probation after a deadly wreck under the influence.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 5,000 crashes involving impaired drivers were recorded in Florida in 2025, 500 of those were deadly according to date from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
As we approach the summer months, law enforcement officials are warning about the increased risk of drinking and driving. First Coast News spoke with a man who can relate through his own personal experience, sharing the hard truth more than a decade after he caused a deadly crash under the influence of alcohol.
“Not only did I take the gentleman’s life, but I also killed his legacy as well. I took him from his grandkids and family, and as a result my kids suffered being raised without a daddy,” said Eric Malone.
In August of 2012, Malone said he was drinking all day with friends, went to a bar, then got behind the wheel of his vehicle heading towards the Southside of Jacksonville.
He never made it to his destination because around 2:15 a.m. he crashed into another car near the intersection of US-1 and Richardson Road, killing the other driver and injuring the passenger.
According to the arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Malone fled the scene, hiding for hours in a bush nearby before he was caught by police.
The report also shows Malone was driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and faced charges including DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash.
After a plea deal, Malone spent ten years in jail and is still serving his five years of probation following his release.
Malone said if he could go back, he would have never driven after drinking, but didn’t think anything would happen — a sentiment he said is felt by some who admit to drinking and driving at some point.
Since the tragic wreck, he’s been advocating with MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving and sharing his story to help even just one person from making the same devastating choice.
“I ask the family for forgiveness. That’s the main thing, my heart pleads with them for the loss of their loved one. I can’t change what I’ve done but bring awareness to others getting behind the wheel… Keep one of them from killing themselves or somebody else’s loved one,” said Malone.
Malone said the thousands of dollars in court costs and fines, jail time and loss of independence is a small price compared to the life he took that fateful night.
Out of respect for the family, First Coast News isn’t naming the victim in this crash and has not been able to get in contact with the family as of the airing of this story.
On Your Side
Drinking and driving is a choice. There are other options, including planning for a designated driver and ride-share services to get around safely while drinking.
Here are some helpful webpages regarding DUI law/drunk driving resources in Florida:
Here are some helpful webpages regarding DUI law/drunk driving resources in Georgia: