The driver of a car that struck a tree in January, killing a Palatka teenage passenger and injuring himself and another passenger, is now charged with vehicular homicide, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said Justin Hughes, now 20, was speeding away from a burglary of a San Mateo home on Jan. 29 and was being chased by the homeowners at high speeds on East End Road when Hughes lost control of his vehicle, left the highway and nearly split a tree in half.

Casey Nelson, 21, a passenger, died at the scene. Hughes and passenger Nichole Jones were airlifted to hospitals with critical injuries. Troopers said Hughes recovered, but Jones has permanent injuries from the wreck.

Two people who were chasing Hughes in a van were not injured.

The FHP has charged Hughes with vehicular homicide, two counts of reckless driving, and three counts of driving while license suspended.

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• January 29, 2007: FHP: Chase Leads To Fatal Single-Car Crash