Fred Donaldson, 48, of Ohio, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing an elderly Florida couple in a drunk‑driving crash on Interstate 75 in Sarasota County. He pleaded no contest to two counts of DUI manslaughter in the deaths of 69‑year‑old David Henson and his 64‑year‑old wife Katherine Henson.
What happened on the highway
On December 14, shortly before 4 p.m., police say Donaldson was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic on I‑75 when his car struck the passenger side of the Hensons’ vehicle. The impact pushed their car off the highway and into a tree, killing both immediately. Donaldson stayed at the scene and admitted he had been drinking, asking officers if the couple was OK. A blood test later showed his blood alcohol content (BAC) at 0.18, more than twice Florida’s 0.08 legal limit.
Guilty plea and sentencing
During field‑sobriety tests, Donaldson told troopers, “I f—ed up, I don’t think I need to offer anything… No matter how drunk I am, I f—ed up.” He was arrested on DUI charges and later pleaded no contest to two counts of DUI manslaughter. A judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison on Tuesday, citing the senseless loss of life caused by his decision to drive while severely impaired.
Who the Hensons were
Katherine Henson was a nurse and David Henson was a restaurateur; they were married for nearly 40 years and known for putting “family first,” regularly helping aging parents, driving long distances to support relatives, and quietly showing up for others in need. They lived in Pensacola and had just returned from a cruise before the crash. In a victim‑impact statement, their family emphasized that Donaldson’s choices “shattered” multiple generations by robbing children of their parents, grandchildren of their grandparents, and the community of two deeply involved, caring people.
