Donald Lee Whitaker has been found guilty as charged of Second-Degree Murder, for running over a woman and killing her. The jury returned the guilty verdict this afternoon following a four-day trial in Collier County.
Assistant State Attorney Connor Boe and Assistant State Attorney Laura Mason prosecuted the case.
In November 2022, the defendant intentionally ran over a woman with his vehicle. Witnesses say the victim was lying in the roadway on Dove Tree Street in Golden Gate Estates and a van was idling nearby. One witness, who had been driving by, even stopped and asked the woman if she was okay. The woman was crying in a semi fetal position on the ground and said no. That witness called law enforcement.
Seconds later the minivan sped up and ran over the victim. Witnesses saw the defendant get out of the vehicle and try to lift the victim. The witness asked him to stop trying to move her, due to her severe injuries and waited on scene until law enforcement arrived.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office quickly responded to the scene and took the defendant into custody. The victim was rushed to a hospital but died soon after she arrived.
The defendant was interviewed by detectives. He gave various stories about what happened, including claiming the victim had been run over by the truck and horse trailer driven by the reporting witness. Due to the witness statements, and evidence found on the undercarriage of the minivan showing impact with the victim, the defendant was arrested and charged.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2025.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director