PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A family in Pasco County fears they'll never see the justice they want after their loved one was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding his motorcycle in November of 2018.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Driver arrested for DUI manslaughter in death of motorcyclist
“I thought it was pretty much a sealed deal," said Scott McLaughlin.
Investigators charged Naserodin Shooshtari, 68, with DUI manslaughter after swerving into the path of 31-year-old Dustin Hogan's motorcycle on Embassy Boulevard in Port Richey.
The initial report by the Florida Highway Patrol states Shooshtari failed to keep his balance during a field sobriety test and had to use his arms for balance. He also refused a breathalyzer test at the scene of the crash.
"He killed my son," said McLaughlin. "I hate to say it that way, you know, it is an accident, but my son is gone.”
Hogan's family tells ABC Action News that the office of the State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Court recently contacted them about issues stemming from the investigation that could potentially jeopardize prosecuting the driver.
“They botched the investigation, that was the attorney’s words verbatim," said Hogan's mother, Beth Westlake. “I walked out because I was so, I was shocked.”
An attorney with the Pinellas/Pasco State Attorney tells ABC Action News, "we are still in the investigative stage which has not been finalized as we are still waiting on one of the reports from FHP."
This case remains an on-going criminal investigation; for comments about the case I would direct you back to the SAO who has met with family members. Traffic Homicide Investigation cases typically take 3-6 months or longer," an FHP spokesman said of the investigation when ABC Action News reached out.
