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December 30, 2014

It can take a liftime to become an experienced driver. Each new generation of drivers think they are the best, most talented, and can drive like the stuntmen seen in movies and on television. Those characteristics are a bad combination when mixed with alcohol, drugs, and a high-performance vehicle. In fact, they can be deadly.

That’s exactly what happened in Okeechobee when an 18-year-old Okeechobee man was charged with driving under the influence causing death to a human and vehicular manslaughter in November, according to media reports.

Florida Highway Patrol says Nathaniel Aaron Doctor was traveling on SW Fifth Avenue in Okeechobee on August 15, 2014 at a high rate of speed in a 2014 Audi SQ 5. Doctor lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle slid off the right side of the road. Doctor counter-corrected and tried to regain control of the vehicle, but he was unsuccessful. The vehicle hit a large tree, a metal mailbox, and a power pole.

The vehicle overturned and the passenger was ejected. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Doctor and two other passengers in the vehicle were not seriously injured.

During an investigation, the Florida Highway Patrol determined that the vehicle was traveling at 91 m.p.h. when the accident occurred.

Doctor was transported to Raulerson Hospital and blood was drawn. Doctor’s blood alcohol level was 0.123, well above the legal limit of 0.8. He also tested positive for marijuana. Prosecutors believe the presence of alcohol and marijuana in Doctor’s system contributed to the accident.

In Florida, vehicular homicide is defined as “the killing of a human being, or the killing of an unborn child by any injury to the mother, caused by the operation of a motor vehicle by another in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of, or great bodily harm to, another.”

As a result of Doctor’s reckless act, two parents had to bury their daughter. They won’t see her grow old, get married and have children and a young man must live with the consequences of driving too fast while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

If you or a loved one has 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.

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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

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  • 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
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