Citrus County Man Gets Maximum Sentence for DUI Manslaughter

David Kahler, 38, was found guilty of DUI manslaughter in the 2022 death of a woman in Citrus County. He was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

On January 22, 2022, Kahler was driving a white Ford F250 heading southbound on State Road 200. Kahler was just south of the Marion County line when he swerved into the northbound lane, causing two vehicles to swerve off the road. He then caused a head-on collision with a third vehicle, driven by Stephanie Lescht, who was killed a result of the crash. Lescht's vehicle turned counterclockwise from the impact and struck the vehicle that was directly behind Letsch. The occupants of that vehicle, a mother and child, survived the crash. 

Several witnesses, including the Florida Highway Patrol troopers on scene, testified about the impaired state Kahler was in at the time of the crash. Blood tests showed that the defendant was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana.

At sentencing, surviving victims spoke about how this event has impacted their lives and requested a harsher sentence for Kahler. Citrus County Circuit Judge Joel D. Fritton sentenced Kahler to the maximum prison term of 15 years. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Blake Shore.

Posted on 4/12/2023