DUI Driver Sentenced To Nine Years In State Prison

It was a bright and beautiful sunny day when Dwain Naftal jumped into his service vehicle to render aid to a motorist in distress near the intersection of Capri Road and State Route 951 on August 31, 2021. It would take Naftal about ten minutes to drive out where the driver had their problem. It would be the last call of his long 35-year career which saw him make thousands of these calls. 

He was struck and killed on that service call by a vehicle driver by Patricia Hofferberth, 58, of Kissimmee, Florida. She was arrested on November 18, 2021, and charged with DUI Vehicular Manslaughter as well as charges for DUI Property Damage. In May, Ms. Hofferberth was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and six years probation. In addition, she learned that she would no longer be permitted to drive in Florida.

Word of the tragedy quickly spread throughout the island. For 35 years, Naftal was known as the “Roadside Angel.” He had assisted an innumerable number of Marco Island residents and visitors alike, often going above and beyond the call for assistance, endearing him to many on the island.

According to AAA, 60 roadway assistance personnel are killed each year assisting disabled motorists. Please drive cautiously when seeing these “Roadside Angles,” and of course, don’t drink and drive.