JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former JSO corrections deputy was sentenced to eight years in prison Thursday on a DUI manslaughter charge stemming from a late-2023 accident that took the life of a 32-year-old man.
Cashius Edwards, a seven-year employee with JSO, was charged with DUI and homicide in the Nov. 12, 2023, death of Chavon Mackey II from a crash on South Lane and San Juan avenues.
The sentence will be followed by two years of community control and five years probation.
During his sentencing, Edwards apologized to Mackey's family. He said he made a selfish decision "out of character." He said the crash was devastating for Mackey's family and his.
"I am so sorry. I wish I could re-do the night of the incident. I would never have even left home ... It cost a man his life. ... There are no words to express the amount of remorse I have for this tragic incident," Edwards said.
Mackey's younger sister told the court her brother would never meet his youngest child.
"Just the thought alone of him not being able to see his babies reach milestones crushes me to the core," she said. "He won't be there for birthdays, graduations, weddings, nothing."
During a news conference last year, Sheriff T.K. Waters said the victim was driving southbound on South Lane Avenue and Edwards was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed, both approaching San Juan Avenue. When the victim attempted to turn left on San Juan Avenue, Edwards' vehicle crashed into the front portion of the victim's and it overturned.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and Edwards suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Investigators determined Edwards was under the influence and charged him with the two second-degree felonies.
On Thursday, prosecutors said Edwards' Blood Alcohol Content was .195.
Mackey's family told First Coast News last year that he had three children, including one on the way.
“Everybody who knows Chavon knows that he loved football, he loved to joke, he loved to have fun. He was just a jovial guy," Chavon Mackey, his father, said.