A Ruskin man has been accused of DUI manslaughter and multiple counts of DUI injury after a traffic crash that killed a child and sent others to the hospital.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The Florida Highway Patrol has accused a Ruskin man of DUI manslaughter after a traffic crash.

John L. Rutland, 38, of Ruskin, was charged with one count of DUI manslaughter, two counts of DUI with serious bodily harm, four counts of DUI with property damage or personal injury and one count of driving under the influence. Records from the Hillsborough County jail indicate he had a blood alcohol content of between 0.125-0.128. In Florida, the legal limit is 0.08.

Rutland is charged in connection with a Wednesday (Feb. 1) traffic crash that killed Jacob Bustos, 3, of Wimauma. Jacob died at Tampa General Hospital where he was taken after the crash.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said Marbella Valencia-Bustos, 20;Guadalupe Bustos-Benitez, 30; Loylo Mirella Valencia, 10; Adrian Rivera, 1; Valeria Rivera (exact age unavailable); and Jonathan Bustos, 4, were also taken to Tampa General. Valencia-Bustos, Adrian Rivera and Jonathan Bustos all had minor injuries. Valeria Rivera and Loylo Mirella Valencia had serious injuries. Bustos-Benitez was not injured. All are from Wimauma, troopers said, and all were in a 2002 Chevrolet utility vehicle driven by Valencia-Bustos.

No one in the Rutland’s vehicle, including two children, ages 9 and 5, was injured, according to the FHP.

The crash happened about 7:55 p.m. at the intersection of State Road 674 and 27th Street SE. Troopers said a 2001 Toyota Camry driven by Rutland was southbound on 27th Street, attempting to cross SR 674 when it collided with the driver’s side of the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet spun and overturned, troopers said.

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Florida Highway Patrol | DUI Manslaughter | DUI | Crime | Arrests | Drunk Driving | TB Reporter

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