The boyfriend of a Hastings woman who died after falling out of a moving truck in Putnam County last week is being held in police custody, The Citizen has learned.
The unidentified 26-year-old was sitting on a toolbox on the back of a truck being driven by Justin Bowlby, 39, Friday night when she became cold and tried to climb through the passenger side window while the vehicle was moving, an arrest report states.
Bowlby stepped on the brakes, causing the woman to lose her grip, hit the passenger front right side of the truck’s cab and fall to the ground.
She was rushed to Orange Park Medical Center with severe injuries and later died.
Responding Florida Highway Patrol troopers interviewed Bowlby at the scene, and he admitted to using methamphetamine and marijuana prior to the crash. He also had outstanding warrants related to nonpayment of child support.
Bowlby and the victim were a couple, a source told The Citizen.
He proceeded to flunk a series of field sobriety tests and was taken into custody for DUI causing serious bodily injury to another and other charges.
Troopers also found methamphetamine in Bowlby’s 1994 Ford truck and noted that his license had been suspended since 2015.
Bowlby who has a long rap sheet — including a bust for moonshine possession — remains in jail and could see upgraded charges.
His priors include illegal firearms possession, battery, and grand theft.
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