Alleged drunk driver kills pedestrian

Sarasota Police have charged 66-year-old Mark Steinberg with DUI manslaughter after he allegedly struck and killed another man with his truck after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

An officer driving southbound on U.S. 41 near the intersection with Irving Street heard a "loud, explosion-like noise" then stopped a black truck with extensive damage that passed his vehicle. Responding officers then located the victim, 44-year-old Gerald Blalock, nearby.

Emergency personnel pronounced Blalock dead at the scene.

Steinberg drove onto a curb near the Hudson Bayou Bridge and struck Blalock then hit a lightpole, pinning the victim, according to a probable cause affadavit. Police stopped Steinberg roughly 1,500 feet from the scene of the accident.

Authorities have also charged Steinberg with DUI with property damage and leaving the scene of a crash involving death.