Multi-Vehicle Crash in Altamonte Springs Kills Father and Infant Child

On the morning of Friday, October 16th, 2015, six cars were involved in a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Road 434 and State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs. As a result, six people were hospitalized and three of those were found to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

35-year-old Jose Vargas Rosario, his wife, 27-year-old Ivelisse Martinez, and their one-year-old son, Brayden Vargas, were all involved in the crash. Only the child’s mother survived, suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In perhaps the most shocking and heartbreaking of all results of this tragedy, officials say that Martinez currently has no memory of the crash, her child’s birth or even whether she was ever married to Vargas Rosario.

According to reports from witnesses and crash victims, the accident was caused by an elderly woman who had been speeding toward the intersection without any sign of planning to stop. The woman has since been identified as 75-year-old Cynthia Guthrie. One witness said that he thought she had been going 60mph at the time of the crash, despite the posted speed being 45. Guthrie then slammed into the back of the Vargas Rosario’s young family’s gold-colored Kia, according to reports.

Traffic homicide investigators will be looking closely at the incident, and have approximately 60 days to finish their initial report. After that is completed, the investigators can finally determine whether it is appropriate to file charges against Guthrie or another party. Currently, Guthrie has not been charged, and officials involved say that they do not suspect distracted driving or intoxication of any kind. In fact, Guthrie says she has no idea why she didn’t stop. Hopefully, a review of Guthrie’s driving history, phone records, and medical/toxicology reports will help shine light on the cause of this terrible tragedy.

When a person is injured in a car accident, it can be a devastating time full of confusion, pain and paperwork. If you’ve been injured in an accident such as this one, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today 386-243-4994 to set up an appointment to discuss your case.

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.