Wrong-way driver on Sawgrass Expressway faces DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges

Months after a wrong-way crash on Sawgrass Expressway, authorities have arrested the man they say drove into another car head on while intoxicated, killing its driver.

Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide investigators arrested Eli Louis, 33, of Lauderhill, outside of his home Wednesday on charges stemming from the crash on Sept. 18, 2022, Lt. Indiana Miranda, an FHP spokesperson, said in an email.

Louis was being held in the Broward Main Jail on charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI with property damage, reckless driving with property damage and vehicular homicide.

Shortly before 2 a.m., Louis was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV east in the west inside emergency shoulder of Sawgrass Expressway near Lyons Road while Kenneth Scott Kraemer, 36, of Parkland, was driving a Chevrolet Traverse SUV west in the inside lane, FHP said. Louis swerved into Kraemer’s car.

Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue crews took Kraemer and Louis, both with “incapacitating injures” to Broward Health North. Kraemer was pronounced dead at the hospital that morning, according to FHP.

Louis was entrapped in his car after the crash and was not wearing a seat belt, according to an FHP report. Tests administered at the hospital showed his blood alcohol concentrations to be as high as .186, well above the lawful limit of .08. There was a half empty, opened bottle of Hennessy on the back passenger floorboard of Louis’ car.