Monroe County, Florida — The Office of the State Attorney for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit announces the conclusion of a four-day jury trial in the case involving Olivia Karol Binek Thibodeaux, arising from a fatal traffic crash that occurred on March 4, 2022, on U.S. 1 in Monroe County.

The jury trial was held in Monroe County Circuit Court before Judge Mark Wilson. After three hours and one minute of deliberation, the jury returned verdicts finding the defendant guilty on both counts of Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter and Vehicular Manslaughter. Each offense is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in Florida State Prison.

According to eyewitness accounts, at approximately 12:35 p.m. on March 4, 2022, Binek Thibodeaux was operating a white 2014 BMW X3 southbound on U.S. 1 near mile marker 5. At the same time, Michael Diezel III was traveling northbound on a bicycle on the paved sidewalk along the southbound shoulder while on a bike ride with his father. Eyewitnesses observed the BMW repeatedly swerve from its lane of travel before entering the southbound shoulder and striking the bicyclist.

Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide investigators, through scene analysis, vehicle examination, and crash reconstruction, independently determined that the BMW failed to maintain its lane of travel and entered the shoulder, striking Diezel III. The impact caused catastrophic injuries. The Monroe County Medical Examiner determined that severe trauma to the neck and cervical spine resulted in a near-instant fatality. Diezel III was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Eyewitnesses, including the victim’s father, identified Binek Thibodeaux as the driver. That conclusion was corroborated by responding law-enforcement officers and patrol-car video showing the defendant behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Investigators further determined that the BMW did not brake prior to impact, despite having sufficient distance to stop.

During the investigation, the defendant initially stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle when questioned by law enforcement. She later claimed that the BMW lost braking capability and power steering prior to the crash. That claim was not supported by the evidence. A post-crash inspection conducted by a BMW-certified mechanic at South Motors BMW, and reviewed by Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide investigators, found no mechanical or electronic defects that would have caused unintended steering, loss of braking capability, or loss of vehicle control.

According to investigative findings, a voluntary blood draw conducted following the crash revealed 0.133 nanograms of methamphetamine, detected approximately six hours after the crash. Expert testimony established that methamphetamine concentrations decrease over time and that the level present would likely have been higher at the time of the crash. Experts further testified that the amount of methamphetamine present in the defendant’s system, even six hours after the crash, was sufficient to cause impairment.

Following the jury’s verdict, Judge Wilson revoked the defendant’s bond, and Binek Thibodeaux was taken into custody. A bond hearing will be scheduled in the near future, and sentencing is set for February 10.

The case was led by Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield, with co-counsel Assistant State Attorneys Carter Reeves and Madeleine Thompson.

“This was a difficult and deeply emotional case, especially for the victim’s family,” Mansfield said. “The evidence showed that impaired driving cost a young man his life while he was doing nothing more than riding his bicycle with his father. Today’s verdict affirms accountability and underscores that drug-impaired driving has devastating, irreversible consequences. The victim’s family was present at every hearing and throughout the trial. While nothing can undo their loss, they have shared that they believe the jury reached the right conclusion and appreciate the careful attention the jurors gave to the evidence.”

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