Motorcyclist killed by alleged drunk driver in Geneva spoke to daughter on phone before crash: 'I'm shattered'

GENEVA, Fla. - A man has found himself behind bars after he drunkenly crashed into a motorcycle, killing two people, with a 9-year-old girl in his car, according to Florida Highway Patrol. 

Michael Thompson, 40, of Sanford was arrested and charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter after the incident that unfolded on State Road 46 in Geneva at around 8 p.m. on Saturday. 

Photo: Seminole County Sheriffs Office

Thompson, the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck, was driving west on SR-46 approaching Rest Haven Road behind a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle stopped to turn left into a driveway, but Thompson failed to see it and collided with the back of it, FHP said in the crash report. 

Both passengers on the motorcycle, a 65-year-old man and 61-year-old woman, fell off the bike as a result, troopers said. They were pronounced dead at the scene. 

The male victim was identified as Richard Mills by his daughters Savannah Ward and Chaney Edson, they told FOX 35 News. He had four kids and 12 grandchildren. 

Photo: Chaney Edson

Mills was dropping off a friend who lives behind a nearby restaurant, his daughters said. Ward said she spoke to her dad on the phone just before the crash. 

"She lives right behind it. So just one more turn and she would have been home safe," Ward said. "He told me he was getting gas and coming home. That was the last thing. Now his grandkids don’t get to see him and experience the person we got to grow up with … and it’s hard."

Edson said that she didn't think anything like this would ever happen. 

"I thought he was invincible," Edson said. "That nothing can happen to your dad. From a selfish choice. And now we have to pay. And we do. It hurts I’m heartbroken. I’m shattered." 

Photo: Chaney Edson

A passerby saw what happened and pulled over to help Thompson and the people on the motorcycle, but another car on SR-46 failed to see all three vehicles stopped and collided with the motorcycle for a second impact, the report said. The driver tried to leave the scene, but collided with the back of the passerby's car and Thompson's car, the report continued. 

"We’re never going to see our dad again. He was the kindest, purest person," Ward said. 

Photo: Chaney Edson

According to troopers, Thompson and his 9-year-old passenger didn't suffer any injuries, were not transported to a local hospital and remained on the scene. It remains unclear if the passerby sustained any injuries, but the driver of the other car involved was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. 

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It remains unclear if there are any other charges related to this case. FHP said this is an active criminal investigation. 

Thompson is scheduled to appear in court on Monday afternoon.