Head On Collision

A nearly head-on collision caused by a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on S.R. 528 has claimed the life of an Orlando man and injured his son. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 45-year-old victim and his 17-year-old son were traveling west on S.R.528 shortly after 10:00 p.m. on October 1 when a sport utility vehicle traveling in the wrong direction came straight at them. FHP troopers said the Ford explorer driven by the 42-year-old drunk driver was heading east in the westbound lanes when it struck the left front of the victim’s car. The collision forced the victim’s car to the shoulder of S.R. 528 where it spun and struck a palm tree.

The victim was pronounced dead at the accident scene. His son was taken to an area hospital for treatment for minor injuries. FHP troopers report that the drunk driver fled the accident scene but was later taken into custody and faces charges of DUI, manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving a death, vehicular homicide and driving the wrong way on a roadway.

Given the amount of high-profile public safety campaigns against drunk driving, increased criminal penalties, occasional roadblocks, extensive coverage of drunk driving accidents in local media outlets and other deterrents in place to combat drunk driving, you may be pleased to learn that the problem is getting better. Indeed, from 1,106 people killed in Florida drunk driving accidents in 2005, the number is down sharply to 770 people killed by drunk drivers in 2009. Still, 770 lives lost due to drivers who recklessly and negligently endanger the lives of everyone else on the road because they choose to drink and drive is completely unacceptable. When that many people killed by drunk drivers is an improvement over previous years, it is clear that our state has a serious drunk driving problem.

If you or a close family member has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver and you need effective and experienced legal representation, call Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today. He has dedicated his law practice to helping injured people since 1977 and has a proven record of success helping clients receive the best possible outcome for their cases. Call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation, and get his skills and experience on your side!

A Florida Central News article reports that officials with the Florida Highway Patrol are investigating a recent five-vehicle accident in Lakeland that claimed the lives of three people. FHP officials say that the accident occurred around 4 pm on U.S. Highway 98 just south of Rockridge Road when a Chevrolet pickup truck crashed head-on with a motorcycle. They say the pickup was driven by a 65-year-old woman who veered into the path of a motorcycle operated by a 55-year-old man.

The pickup’s driver was killed in the accident, as was the motorcycle’s passenger-a woman whose identity and age was not released by the FHP when the article was published. The 55-year-old motorcycle rider suffered critical injuries in the accident and was flown to Tampa General Hospital in a helicopter. The 51-year old driver of a Ford pickup truck behind the motorcycle also died in the accident. FHP officials say that he swerved to avoid the initial accident, but crashed into the left front of the oncoming Chevy pickup. The force of the collision caused the Ford pickup to land on its roof.

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Central Florida News reported that a hit-and-run accident on September 6 sent a woman to the hospital with critical injuries, and the woman’s family is pleading with the public for help in finding the driver who fled the scene. According to law enforcement officials investigating the accident, the head-on accident occurred before 3 a.m. and witnesses were unable to provide a positive description of the vehicle involved.

The 35-year-old Orlando victim was reportedly riding her motorcycle on West Colonial Drive near the intersection of Emeralda Drive when a car hit her head-on, resulting in the woman suffering critical injuries. She was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center and was reportedly alert and talking to family and friends. The Orlando hit-and-run accident victim told family members that the impact sent her flying into the car’s windshield. She said that the car’s driver then reached through the broken glass, pushed her off the hood and then fled the scene of the accident.

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