First court appearance: Bond remains $7.5 million for Tanner Dashner in five fatality crash

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A man accused of causing a fiery crash last month that left five dead was arrested Tuesday on five counts each of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Tanner Dashner, 21, was arrested Tuesday with bail set at $7.5 million, said Lt. Alvaro Feola, FHP spokesman. He was booked at 4:45 p.m. into the St. Lucie County Jail, a sheriff's official said.

On Nov. 23, Dashner was driving an estimated 97 mph in a 30 mph zone south on South 25th Street when his sport utility vehicle slammed into the back of a 2002 Dodge Dakota at Midway Road, FHP said previously.

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The Dodge, driven by Kedan Tillett, 27, of Fort Pierce, and a 2003 BMW 325i in front of it had stopped at the red light at Midway Road.

Dashner didn’t slow down as the Dodge and BMW began to accelerate after the red light turned green.

Dashner's GMC hit the Dodge, which then crashed into the BMW. The GMC struck the Dodge a second time. The Dodge's gas tank "was compromised and ignited into a fire," the report states.

Tillett and four passengers — Alexis Chaney, 17; Anthony Victor, 21; Anthony Martin, 16, all of Fort Pierce; and Darien Douglas, 21, of Port St. Lucie — all died as the pickup caught fire. A sixth person in the Dodge, 14-year-old Ari'yonnia Stanberry, of Stuart, was pulled out of the truck by a bystander.

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Darien Douglas’ older sister, Lisan Douglas, 29, on Tuesday said “finally.”

“It’s a step in the right direction. We still have to have a trial,” Lisan Douglas said. “This is a step forward, all five do deserve justice.”

The news of Dashner's arrest was "bittersweet" for Alexis Chaney's family, their lawyer, John M. Phillips, said in a statement.

"While they are happy the individual responsible for her death has finally been charged and will face the consequences of his actions, nothing can bring their beloved Alexis back," the statement read.

Because Dashner's father is a firefighter, Dashner’s booking photo is legally allowed to be exempted from public disclosure upon written request, an official said. That written request was made.

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In the five-page FHP report, Dashner is listed as being "under the influence." It also states he "operated motor vehicle in erratic, reckless or aggressive manner."

Further, the report states Dashner is suspected of alcohol use, but unknown for drug use. Results of blood tests for alcohol and drugs were listed as pending.

Feola on Tuesday could not provide Dashner's blood-alcohol content.

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More on the victims

16-year-old Anthony Martin was a talented bowler

Fatal crash victim Anthony Victor of Fort Pierce had 'big personality,' always joked

Fort Pierce police, Courageous Kids remember Alexis Chaney

Port St. Lucie man Darien 'Hatch' Douglas had 'positive personality'

Kedan Tillett was a talented automotive mechanic