Longwood man Adam Bass arrested, charged in DUI manslaughter after Altamonte crash

Adam Bass, 27, of Longwood, has been arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter after a vehicle he was driving struck and killed a pedestrian on eastbound State Road 436 near Wymore Road, Altamonte Springs police said. The crash occurred just before 7 p.m. on March 6, and firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to responding crews.

Altamonte Springs investigators said Bass “stayed at the scene” after the collision. Officers reported sensory indicators of impairment: they said they smelled alcohol coming from Bass’s breath and “noted he had watery eyes and a flushed face.” Investigators further reported that Bass “agreed to participate in field sobriety exercises” during the on-scene inquiry.

Because of the severity of the crash, Altamonte Springs traffic homicide investigators were called to the scene. WESH reported that “When officers and Seminole County Fire Department crews arrived at the scene, they found the man lying in the road, unconscious. […] Firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene.” The location has also been described as at or near the intersection of State Road 436 (Semoran Boulevard) and Wymore Road in Altamonte Springs.

Police said they found “probable cause to charge Bass with DUI manslaughter for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and causing the fatal crash.” In addition to the manslaughter allegation, WESH reported that “Bass was also charged with resisting an officer without violence.” Investigators described a struggle as officers were placing him in handcuffs: “while officers were placing him in handcuffs, investigators say he raised his arms and attempted to flee before officers guided him to the ground and secured him.”

Bass was taken into custody and transported to the Seminole County Jail, with early reports noting he was “held in Seminole County Jail.” WESH later reported that he “has since been released on bond.” WFTV noted that the identity of the victim has not been released, and that there was a “heavy police presence in Longwood as investigation unfolds.”

Altamonte Springs police continue to investigate the crash; authorities described the matter as an ongoing investigation. Local agencies involved included Altamonte Springs police, the Altamonte Springs traffic homicide unit, and Seminole County Fire Department personnel who responded to the scene and pronounced the pedestrian dead.