65-Year-Old West Palm Woman Charged with DUI in Fatal Hummer Crash Near PBIA – Shocking Details Inside

After being arrested on December 26 in connection with a fatal collision that occurred this past spring close to Palm Beach International Airport, a 65-year-old woman from West Palm Beach is being charged with a crime. Susan Gayle Elman is facing one count each of DUI causing serious bodily injury and reckless driving in connection with the death of Charlie Gilbert, 41, of Riviera Beach, on April 2. When Elman’s Hummer struck Gilbert’s Ford Mustang at Belvedere Road and Australian Avenue, police claim she was over the state’s legal limit for intoxication. She had a blood-alcohol level of 0.052 in a blood draw conducted about three hours after the collision, according to toxicology data. The drunkenness level set by the state is 0.08.

On a $15,000 bond, Elman is at liberty. County Judge Ted Booras ordered her to abstain from alcohol and any illegal narcotics during a hearing held at the Palm Beach County Jail on December 27. Elman’s lawyer during the hearing was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday. A woman admitted to investigators that she had two drinks the night of the deadly collision. An arrest report states that an investigator who arrived at the location just after 11 p.m. observed that Elman had a strong alcoholic odor and that her eyes were bloodshot.

Investigators stated Elman informed them that she had met up with friends at the Airport Hilton hotel’s restaurant and gone to a speaking engagement there that April evening. According to the arrest report, she claimed to have had two drinks—one at dinner and one during the speaking engagement—both of which were gin and club soda. According to reports, she consented to having her car searched and having her blood drawn. After being asked if she would agree to a second blood draw, Elman sought for legal representation.