A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a deadly 2021 crash in St. Lucie County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The case, involving Derrick Tyrone Lamb and the death of 76-year-old Patsy Joyce Terry, highlights the consequences of high-speed driving and unlicensed operation on local roads.
St. Lucie County Fatal Crash Details
The fatal incident occurred on June 17, 2021, in northern St. Lucie County, near the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and Julian Drive, just east of U.S. 1. According to a preliminary report from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Derrick Tyrone Lamb was operating a 2019 BMW i8 when he collided with a 1998 Toyota Camry driven by Patsy Joyce Terry. Similar tragic incidents have occurred in the area, such as when a fatal Port St. Lucie crash claimed the life of a woman and injured several others in recent years.
Investigators stated that Lamb was traveling at speeds between 86 mph and 108 mph at the time of the crash. Terry’s vehicle was moving at approximately 1 mph as she attempted to turn right from eastbound Julian Drive into her driveway.
Sentencing and Legal Proceedings for Derrick Tyrone Lamb
On August 21, 2025, Circuit Judge Michael J. Linn sentenced Lamb to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections after Lamb entered a no contest plea in May to felony charges of vehicular homicide and driving while license suspended or without a license resulting in death or serious injury, according to court records and Assistant State Attorney Jonathon Libby.
Lamb was represented by Port St. Lucie-based attorney Adrienne Bucchi. Records indicate that Lamb, who was 18 at the time of the crash, was also on probation when the incident occurred. He received credit for 1,178 days (over three years) already served in custody.
Investigation by Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol led the investigation into the crash. According to FHP, Lamb had fled from Vero Beach police and Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputies before the collision. However, Assistant State Attorney Libby clarified that there was no active pursuit at the time of the crash. Indian River County deputies discovered the crash scene while searching for Lamb.
Officials reported that Lamb did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the incident. Additional charges against Lamb are pending in Indian River County court, according to official sources. Details may be updated as the investigation continues. In a related case, a fatal two-vehicle crash resulted in the death of a Fort Pierce man in the same region, highlighting ongoing traffic safety concerns.
Victim and Community Impact
Patsy Joyce Terry, aged 76, died as a result of the crash. According to Assistant State Attorney Libby, Terry was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from her vehicle. She was attempting to pull into her driveway when the collision occurred. Officials stated that Terry’s daughter witnessed the crash from the front porch.
During sentencing, the victim’s family requested that Lamb not receive the maximum penalty. Judge Linn issued a 10-year sentence, despite the prosecution’s request for 15 years followed by probation, reflecting the family’s request for leniency.
Legal Context and Ongoing Proceedings
Lamb’s sentencing followed an open plea, leaving the decision to the judge. According to court records, Lamb accepted responsibility for his actions from the beginning of the case. His attorney noted the mercy shown by the victim’s family during the sentencing hearing.
According to officials, Lamb faces additional charges in Indian River County. The case remains open, and further information may become available as proceedings continue. Tragic incidents involving high-speed collisions are not uncommon in the area; for example, a motorcyclist was killed in a Port St. Lucie crash at U.S. 1, underscoring the ongoing risks on local roads.
Key Facts from the Florida Highway Patrol Report
- Date of crash: June 17, 2021
- Location: Old Dixie Highway and Julian Drive, St. Lucie County
- Vehicles involved: 2019 BMW i8 and 1998 Toyota Camry
- Speed at impact: 86–108 mph (BMW), 1 mph (Camry)
- Victim: Patsy Joyce Terry, 76
- Defendant: Derrick Tyrone Lamb, 23
- Sentence: 10 years in prison, credit for time served
- Investigating agency: Florida Highway Patrol
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Lucie County Fatal Crash
What happened in the 2021 St. Lucie County fatal crash?
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Derrick Tyrone Lamb crashed into Patsy Joyce Terry’s vehicle at high speed in northern St. Lucie County. Terry died as a result of the collision.
How much prison time did Derrick Tyrone Lamb receive for the St. Lucie County crash?
Lamb was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading no contest to felony charges related to the crash, according to court records and officials.
Are there ongoing investigations related to this St. Lucie County crash?
Officials report that additional charges against Lamb are pending in Indian River County court. The investigation is ongoing and details may be updated.
Can you explain the role of the Florida Highway Patrol in this case?
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash, calculated the vehicles’ speeds, and provided official reports on the incident. The prosecution was handled by the Office of the State Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which oversees criminal cases in this region.
Where are fatal crash records for St. Lucie County available?
Official crash records and reports for St. Lucie County can be obtained from the Florida Highway Patrol or the local St. Lucie County Clerk of Court’s office.
Port St Lucie Talks
