Sunbather Unscathed After Being Run Over by Car in Nassau County

Officers working within Fernandina Beach are currently searching for an individual believed to be driving a light-colored Jeep Wrangler with a black canvas top that is responsible for an unusual hit-and-run that took place during the afternoon of Friday, April 26th. At this time (close to 4:30pm) an unnamed individual was sunbathing at Peters Point Park beach. This beach, which is located off of South Fletcher Avenue, stands in a part of Amelia Island which is unincorporated. Because of its location, it is a popular spot for locals to go and relax in the sand and the sun, which is exactly what the sunbather was doing.

The reports from the officials within Nassau County indicated that the woman became alarmed when she suddenly felt a tremendous pain on her legs. She told the police that when she looked up she saw the Wrangler. It is not clear if the driver of the sport utility vehicle also saw the sunbather (although it seems likely, given the fact that the bather was lying on a towel described as being vibrant in color), but we do know that the driver of the jeep sped away after the sunbather roused herself.

It is not clear if the sunbather called 9-1-1 or if they transported themselves to the hospital, but we do know that shortly after the incident they were checked into Baptist Medical Center Nassau. There, hospital staff treated the sunbather’s injuries which thankfully were not severe and did not include any broken bones or internal damages. Given the fact that a car had just driven over her, the relative gentleness of the injuries is surprising. This is most likely due to the fact that the car drove over the sunbather at exactly the right point where their body could merge with the sand in a way that resulted in the least amount of damage. It is highly possible that had the car crossed over the bather just a small amount higher or lower that the resulting damage would have been far greater.

The extent to which the driver of the Wrangler is being sought is not known. It is also not known if the sunbather is interested in pressing charges.

Sources:

• Jeep runs over woman sunbathing on Florida beach

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.