Today Kenneth Lee Archer, 40, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced for one count of DUI
Manslaughter after making an open plea to the court. Defendants have a right to forgo a jury trial
and plea straight to the court for sentencing. It is not a negotiated plea.
Assistant State Attorney Martin Stark filed the DUI Manslaughter charge against Archer. The
Honorable Judge Nick Thompson sentenced the defendant, who pled guilty, to 15 years in prison
and revoked his driver’s license for life. He was also ordered to pay more than $7,000 in fines
and court costs. Restitution was ordered and reserved. The defendant must also attend a DUI
school, undergo a drug evaluation, and attend counseling.
On April 4, 2018, just after 2 a.m., Archer was driving on Pine Island Road, on the drawbridge
that crosses the Caloosahatchee River. He crossed the centerline in the road and hit a car
traveling in the opposite direction, sending the vehicle into a raised sidewalk.
The 35-year-old woman driving the car he hit died from her injuries in the crash. Florida
Highway Patrol investigated the scene and found the defendant had a blood alcohol content of
.103, which is above the legal limit. Video evidence shows Archer had left a bar minutes before
the crash.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125