skip to content

Fighting for Florida Car Accident Victims Since 1977

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
Home Blog Car Accident

December 4, 2014

Justice was finally served for a driver who was high on drugs when he caused a multi-car motor vehicle accident in 2012. Louis Prinzo, IV, 24, was sentenced to 16 years in state prison on November 14. According to media reports and information from the State Attorney’s Office, Prinzo plead guilty to two counts of DUI causing death, one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury and one count of misdemeanor DUI in October. Two charges were dropped during the plea agreement.

The Facts

In 2012, Prinzo was driving a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis on Interstate 95 in Ormond Beach when he caused a three-vehicle accident. Prinzo was high on prescription medication, that he obtained illegally, and marijuana.

The accident killed two people in another vehicle – 18-year-old Lane Jerome Burnsed, the driver, and his passenger, 17-year-old Meredith Smith, both of Flagler County. Smith was a cheerleader at a local high school, and Burnsed was a recent high school graduate. The two were said to have been best friends. Another driver, Doron Nirel Lyn, was seriously injured in the accident but survived. He is not able to work and suffers from chronic pain.

Prinzo told the officers at the time of the arrest that he had snorted the prescription medication, a common technique for getting high on prescription medication.

History Repeated

Prinzo didn’t really learn his lesson. Back in August, Prinzo was again arrested for another DUI charge, according to media reports. It was the two-year anniversary of the fatal crash. He was reportedly swerving and almost crashing into cars while driving down a highway.

Police investigators found an empty syringe behind his ear and he failed a field sobriety test at the scene. Prinzo was out on a $100,000 bond at the time of his second arrest. His bond was immediately revoked and he was in jail until the sentencing.

Prinzo will have to serve 19 years of probation after he is released from prison.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident that was caused by a drunk driver, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. immediately at 888-FLA-AUTO (888-352-2886) for a free initial consultation.

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