A 17-year-old driver allegedly fled a robbery at an Ocala athletic complex before slamming into a couple's Ford Explorer at an intersection, killing both victims as they celebrated the husband's 77th birthday, according to police.
Background
Charles and Lynn Duncan were driving through the intersection of SW 38th Street and SW 67th Avenue Road in Marion County on May 8 when their vehicle was struck by a Ford Mustang allegedly operated by Estiben Garcia Luis, authorities said. The Duncans had been out celebrating Charles Duncan's birthday before the collision occurred.
Ocala Police investigators allege that Garcia Luis had just committed a robbery at the Ocala SportsPlex athletic fields with another occupant in his vehicle before the crash. After fleeing the scene of the robbery, police say Garcia Luis and his passenger were allegedly traveling at high speeds when they ran a stop sign and collided with the Duncans' Ford Explorer.
The couple was rushed to a local hospital, where both later died from their injuries, according to authorities. The collision occurred during daylight hours in a residential area of Ocala, a city approximately 80 miles north of Tampa.
The Investigation
Detectives with the Ocala Police Department spent weeks building their case against Garcia Luis before arresting him last week. Investigators determined that because the crash occurred during the commission of a felony—the robbery at the SportsPlex—Florida's felony murder rule applied to the incident, allowing prosecutors to charge the teen with two counts of first-degree felony murder.
Garcia Luis is being prosecuted as an adult in Marion County Circuit Court. He remains held at the Marion County Jail without bond following his arrest last week. Court records indicate he has no prior criminal history in Florida's juvenile system.
Key Takeaways
- Estiben Garcia Luis, 17, faces two counts of felony murder for allegedly killing Charles and Lynn Duncan on May 8 in Ocala, Florida
- Police allege Garcia Luis was fleeing a robbery at the Ocala SportsPlex when he ran a stop sign and collided with the victims' vehicle
- The Duncans were celebrating Charles Duncan's 77th birthday when the crash occurred, according to their daughter
- Investigators applied Florida's felony murder statute because the collision happened during the commission of another crime
- Garcia Luis is being charged as an adult and remains in jail without bond pending trial
What's Next
Garcia Luis is scheduled to appear in Marion County Circuit Court on July 21 for his first post-arrest hearing. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will pursue additional charges against the second occupant of the Mustang. The Duncan family, through their daughter Rebecca Duncan-Taylor, has begun working with attorneys regarding potential civil proceedings separate from the criminal case.