PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A beloved elementary school music teacher, who was badly hurt in a car crash over the weekend, has died, according to Pinellas Park police officials.
Caroline Sine, a music teacher at John M. Sexton Elementary School, was hurt early Sunday morning when investigators say Brice Albert McLeod failed to stop at a red light and plowed into her car. She was taken to the hospital but passed away Monday night, officials said.
Pinellas Park police responded to a crash around 12:50 a.m. Sunday in the 4000 block of Park Boulevard.
Macleod, of St. Petersburg, ran a red light while driving a blue 2016 Toyota Corolla. He struck a vehicle driven by Caroline Sine.
Her passenger, Sean Hankins, 36, was hospitalized and remains in critical condition at Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg.
A Hillsborough County Schools spokesperson said that Hankins is a music teacher who teaches children at Miles and Shaw Elementary Schools. Both schools are in Tampa.
“Macleod showed signs of impairment and a DUI,” police said.
Macleod went before a judge Monday afternoon for first appearance. News Channel 8 learned he will appear in court again Tuesday and the charges against him will likely be upgraded. He’s currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Macleod’s attorney, Jim Jenkins, said his client is remorseful and sorry to hear what happened.
Court documents obtained by News Channel 8 say Macleod pleaded guilty to DUI in 2006 in Manatee County.