Homicide by Vehicle

WYFF reported the tragic and preventable criminal case involving a drunk driver.

The family of Jamie Howard Sloan and her daughter, Rylie Sloan, has waited three long years for justice after a multi-vehicle crash on I-95 near the Florida-Georgia line on July 1, 2022, took their lives.

The driver of the semi-truck, which crossed the southbound lanes and crashed into Sloan’s car head-on, has finally been found guilty by a Camden County, Georgia, jury.

Nicholas Burist of Virginia was indicted a year after the crash and was charged with numerous counts, including four counts of homicide by vehicle and DUI. Burist was sentenced to 75 years in prison, and must actively serve 45 of them.

Jamie and Rylie Sloan are the daughters and granddaughters of Jim and Wanda Howard of Travelers Rest. Jim is the former coach of the Blue Ridge High School football team. The Howards and their son-in-law have been fighting for justice and closure.