JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 28-year-old man who police said was going the wrong way on North Main Street April 4 when his pickup truck struck another, killing a man, is in jail charged with DUI manslaughter.
Joshua Mintz was arrested Monday on charges related to the crash that killed 30-year-old Bobby Creech. Mintz is being held on $115,000 bond at the Duval County Jail.
Bobby was driving home after working late at the family's body shop when his Toyota Echo was hit head-on by Mintz's Ford F-150, investigators said.
Mintz suffered minor injuries, but Bill Creech, Bobby's father, said his family suffered the greatest loss of all.
"It was like he vanished," Bill said. "It's tough. I think about it every day, all day."
Bill said dealing with his son's lost was even tougher this week when he faced Mintz for the first time in court. Months later, Bill said, he still has questions about the night of the accident.
"Everyone was wondering why he didn't make a maneuver to get out of his way, but he didn't have his lights on and he didn't see him," Bill said.
Bobby left behind 6- and 9-year-old children, his high school sweetheart who he married, two brothers and his parents. His father said Bobby was the right-hand man at the family's auto shop and that he would bring life to those around him every day.
"He had a good sense of humor and everyone here knew it because he was always messing around with everybody," Bill said. "He worked here for a long time. The last three or four years, he just grew into himself, to where he could take over. He took care of all the body shop and he took care of me 100 percent."
Although time won't bring his son back, Bill said he hopes justice will be served.
"The things that are going to happen, hopefully he will pay for this. I do want him to pay for this and think about this," Bill said.
Bobby's brothers have begun raising money for the family's expenses and hope to set up a trust fund so his children can use the money for college when they are older. A GoFundMe account has been set for anyone wishing to donate.