skip to content

Fighting for Florida Car Accident Victims Since 1977

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
Home Blog Auto Accident

September 14, 2017

Hurricane Irma swept through Florida and, as expected, left a trail of destruction in its wake. While the full extent of the damage from the unprecedented storm has yet to be discovered, it is commonly known that numerous downed wires and fallen utility poles have left large parts of the state without power. At the intersection of South East 132nd Street Road and US 301 is a stop light. After the storm, the lines that provide this stop light with power were out of commission as repair crews around the state first focused on restoring the electricity to top priorities like hospitals and nursing homes.

On Monday, close to 3:00 in the morning, an unnamed 59-year-old man from Mississippi was driving his Ford F-250 in the southbound lanes of US 301 when it closed in on the intersection with SE 132nd Street Road in Marion County. It is not clear whether or not the man saw the light without power and, if so, what he believed road law dictated in a situation where a stop light is out of commission. What is known is that at the same time that this individual was nearing the intersection a second car, towing a trailer and being driven by an individual who the Florida Highway Patrol has yet to describe in any way, was traveling down SE 132nd Street Road towards US 301.

Reaching the intersection at roughly the same time, it appears that neither of the drivers slowed down or stopped. Instead, both attempted to continue on their way at the same time. The 59-year-old’s F-250 collided directly with the trailer being pulled by the other vehicle. Subsequently, the truck became horribly entangled with the metal supports and frame of the trailer.

Even though all emergency services throughout the state find themselves currently inducted with top priority emergencies as the cleanup from Irma takes place, members of the Florida State Troopers arrived at the scene of the accident shortly after the collision took place. There, they pronounced the driver of the F-250 dead at the scene. While the age and state of origin for the man was somehow verified, the FHP reported that the full identity of the individual has yet to be discovered.

As the recovery efforts are underway, the FHP wants to alert everyone to the presence of these downed or powerless stop lights. In the event that any individual approaches a stoplight temporarily without power, they are reminded that in times like these all intersections with malfunctioning lights should be treated by motorists as 4-way stops. Right of way goes to emergency vehicles or those who arrive at the intersection first.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.

Related Articles:

Free Consultation

If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call toll-free at 1-888-FLA-Auto (1-888-352-2886).

Verdicts & Settlements

  • Rear End Car Accident:
    $3.75 Million Recovery
  • Semi-Truck Accident:
    $1.5 Million Recovery
  • Van Rollover:
    $1.2 Million Wrongful Death Recovery
  • Rear End Bus Accident:
    $775,000.00 Recovery
  • Truck Collides with Cow:
    $500,000.00 Recovery

Our Florida Offices

We have 15 convenient office locations around Central Florida to better serve our auto accident clients.

15 Florida Locations

Orange County:
Orlando, FL

500 Delaney Avenue #404
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-425-2000

Seminole County:
Lake Mary, FL

300 International Parkway #100
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: 407-487-4408

Osceola County:
Kissimmee, FL

17 S. Orlando Ave.
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: 407-966-4408

Volusia County:
Daytona Beach, FL

1301 Beville Rd., Suite 8
Daytona Beach, FL 32119
Phone: 386-243-4994

Volusia County:
DeBary, FL

465 Summerhaven Drive, Suite C
DeBary, FL 32713
Phone: 386-320-3911

Volusia County:
Deland, FL

120 South Woodland Blvd.
Deland, FL 32720
Phone: 386-206-1264

Citrus County:
Inverness, FL

110 North Apopka Ave.
Inverness, FL 34453
Phone: 352-205-4341

Polk County:
Lakeland, FL

1102 S. Florida Ave., Suite 104
Lakeland, FL 33803
Phone: 863-968-7551

Polk County:
Winter Haven, FL

325 Avenue A, N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-968-7173

Hillsborough County:
Tampa, FL

100 S. Edison St. Suite D
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-355-9772

Marion-Sumter Counties:
The Villages, FL

3420 U.S. Hwy. 27/441
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
Phone: 352-419-0825

Lake County:
Mt. Dora, FL

Mt. Dora, FL
Phone: 352-436-4696

Lake County:
Clermont, FL

3721 S Hwy 27, Suite A
Clermont, FL 34711
Phone: 352-503-4674

Brevard County:
Titusville, FL

506 S. Palm Ave.
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone: 321-222-7300

Brevard County:
Cocoa, FL

96 Willard Street, Suite 206
Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: 321-757-1373

Client Reviews

Previous Next
  • I was involved in a motor vehicle accident where the other driver ran a red light and my car was a total loss. I was referred to James Cunningham due to the fact that our attorney’s have been very impressed with James Cunningham’s work. This fact turned out to be very true… A Personal Injury Client
  • My car accident case was handled by Mr Cunningham and I was very pleased with how everything was done. He handles his own cases and his staff is top notch. He got me a very nice settlement without going to court. Derek
  • We contacted Jim Cunningham to help guide us through the "maize" of possible outcomes in settling with insurance companies, medical bills, and even police investigation with the accident. David
  • Cunningham worked hard was professional, supportive, diligent and always maintained contact. I am very satisfied with the service that him and his team provided. Mr Cunningham is a lawyer that will work for you. Dezhaun
  • I consulted with several attorneys, but as soon as I met James Cunningham, I knew he was the right attorney for me. He immediately expressed concern for my well-being, and his compassionate, professional manner put me at ease. Diane