Former Officer On Probation After Fatality
Misty Mechelle Gable (pictured, right), 37, of Lake City, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading no-contest to DUI last month for the Nov. 10 crash that killed Anthony Cericola, 35, of Daytona Beach. Shortly before the plea, she lost her job with the Police Department.
"It's just a very tragic situation," prosecutor Dan Clark said.
Gable and Cericola were riding together on motorcycles when the accident happened on U.S. 41 near Rumors Lounge in Columbia County. Cericola rear-ended the motorcycle driven by Gable, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The two were thrown from their motorcycles, and Cericola then was hit by the driver of a Ford Explorer who did not stop.
A blood-alcohol test showed Gable's blood-alcohol level was 0.132 percent. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08 percent. Blood tests also showed that she tested positive for hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller, FHP reported. Test results from Cericola's blood showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.07 percent.
Gable was off duty at the time. Neither Gable or Cericola were wearing helmets.
The case against the driver of the Explorer is pending.
Gable must spend at least half of her community service hours in a hospital emergency room. She must also participate in a Suwannee County victim impact panel, where defendants are exposed to the consequences of their actions by face-to-face interaction with crime victims, Clark said.
Her driver's license also was suspended for a year. She must pay $943 in fines and costs, and she was adjudicated guilty, meaning she will have a permanent record of the conviction.
- January 23, 2003: Lake City Cop Charged With DUI After Fatal Crash
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.






Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death Saturday inside a residence in Nashville, police say.
Cities and towns across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia put on fireworks displays, parades, concerts and other celebrations of America's birthday.
Authorities in Gainesville still searching for the gunmen.
One person is dead following a traffic crash Friday night in the middle of the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Jacksonville begins Independence Day festivities on Friday, with much more in store for the holiday.
An afternoon of country music is capped by SkyBlast, Jacksonville's fireworks display.
One day after 76 dogs were confiscated from a south Putnam County mobile home, plenty of people are offering homes for the animals, but they may only be temporary.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested four people accused of shoplifting at a Westside department store is also suspected of hitting stores at the St. Johns Town Center.
Sarah Palin is stepping down as Alaska governor.
It formed in southern Duval County and slowly moved north -- mostly on or near the St. Johns River -- so thousands of people could witness its power.
Viewers throughout Duval County saw, snapped and sent in photos of the waterspout that moved up the river Friday afternoon.
Capturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled.
View All Fugitives On 'Wheel'