‘Like a bullet’: Witnesses describe terrifying moments before fatal Palm Beach Gardens crash
Newly released court records identify the 81-year-old victim and detail how investigators say a Cadillac traveling more than 100 mph caused the deadly four-vehicle collision.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —
A 29-year-old man accused of driving more than 100 mph before a deadly crash in Palm Beach Gardens appeared before a judge Thursday, one day after his arrest on a vehicular homicide charge.
Palm Beach Gardens police say Akash Das was driving his Cadillac north on Central Boulevard at speeds between 96 and 104 mph in a 45 mph zone before crashing into an Audi crossing the intersection at Victoria Falls Boulevard.
The crash killed 81-year-old Gary Fields.
According to the arrest affidavit, Fields was leaving the apartment complex where he lived and was attempting to cross Central Boulevard toward Victoria Falls Boulevard when Das’ Cadillac slammed into the passenger side of his Audi, sending it spinning into two other vehicles.
Fields was transported to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, where he died from blunt force trauma.
Investigators say Das’ own dashboard camera captured him accelerating, making abrupt lane changes and passing three vehicles moments before the crash.
Several eyewitnesses described seeing the Cadillac racing toward the intersection.
One driver told investigators the vehicle came up behind her “like a bullet,” shaking her car as it sped past.
Another witness recalled thinking, “They’re going to kill someone,” moments before the collision.
During Thursday’s first appearance hearing, Das’ attorney noted his client has no criminal history and asked the court to allow him to return to Columbia University, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering.
The judge denied the request, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
“The speed was upwards of 100 miles per hour,” Judge Donald Hefele said before ordering Das to be held on a $125,000 bond, placing him on house arrest if released and prohibiting him from driving while the case is pending.
Das remains charged with vehicular homicide.
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