JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man is facing felony charges after a May crash on Merrill Road left a 19-year-old dead — and investigators say alcohol and drugs were both factors.
Lawrence Donald, 38, was arrested July 3, on charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage. He was booked into the Duval County jail, with bond set at $160,006 — a combined total across both charges.
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Fatal crash kills teen driver
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the crash happened just after 3 a.m. on May 2 on Merrill Road. Investigators say Donald was driving a gold 2010 Toyota Camry eastbound on Merrill Road when he slammed into the back of a silver 2006 Toyota Solara stopped at a red light at the intersection of Wedgefield Boulevard.
The impact pushed the Solara into a utility pole. The driver, Mark Fraley Jr., 19, of Jacksonville, was pronounced dead at the scene by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.
Suspect tells police he came from gentlemen’s club
After the crash, investigators interviewed Donald at the scene. According to the arrest report, Donald said he had been at a Gentlemen’s Club on Beach Boulevard and left around 2 a.m. He told officers he was heading to the Waffle House on Merrill Road but missed the turn and was looking to turn around.
Donald told police that as he approached the intersection at Wedgefield Boulevard, he saw the Solara but said it did not have any lights activated. He said he attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to. Donald estimated he was traveling approximately 40 mph before the crash.
Impairment indicators noted at scene: report
When investigators spoke with Donald at the scene, they noted several indicators of impairment. According to the report, officers observed Donald swaying back and forth, speaking in a slow and lethargic manner, and emitting the odor of alcohol.
A JSO DUI investigator and Drug Recognition Expert also noted droopy eyelids and bloodshot, watery and glassy eyes. Based on those observations, Donald was asked to consent to a blood draw — and he agreed. The draw was conducted by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue and submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for analysis.
Data recorder, lab results detail speed, substance levels
A search warrant was obtained on May 14 for the Camry’s event data recorder (EDR). Investigators say that data showed Donald’s vehicle was traveling 62.1 mph and accelerating roughly 4.6 seconds before impact — reaching 65.9 mph just before the crash. Investigators noted no signs of emergency braking, such as skid marks, in the 167 feet prior to the crash site.
According to his arrest report, lab results returned by FDLE on May 22 showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .083 g/100mL — above Florida’s legal limit of .08.
A drug analysis completed June 5, found 12 +/- 4 ng/mL of methamphetamine in Donald’s system, as well as MDMA detected above the quantitation range of 10–200 ng/mL, according to his arrest report.
Arrest made on active warrant
Donald was arrested July 3, after detectives located him at his home on University Blvd. N.
As of his first court appearance on July 4, 2026, Donald was found indigent and appointed a public defender. His case was continued to July 27.