A driver with a mixed drink in his car collided with a Daytona Beach patrol car that was parked and has its emergency lights flashing recently, prompting officers to swiftly arrest the man and charge him with driving under the influence. Police said that no one was injured in the drunk driving accident but that the driver, a 25-year-old Tampa resident, will likely face additional charges in the accident.
Officers said that the driver stopped performing field sobriety tests after failing a few, saying, "I wouldn’t be able to do that when I’m sober," according to his arrest report.
Police say that the accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. while the suspect was traveling southbound on Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach. Officers say that the patrol car the suspect collided with was involved with a traffic stop with another driver when the accident occurred. Two officers were standing in front of the patrol car and had a suspect in the back seat when the suspect drove into the back of the car. Both officers and the man they had in the back seat received minor injuries and were taken to area hospitals but none were seriously injured.
Officers said that the driver was glassy-eyed and smelled of alcohol at the time of his arrest. During their inspection of his vehicle, officers found a cup of what appeared to be lemonade but determined that it contained alcohol after smelling it. The suspect refused to submit to a breath test after the accident and fell down while attempting to walk a straight line during one of the field sobriety tests.
Drunk drivers remain a very serious and persistent threat to the safety of everyone traveling on Florida roadways. To illustrate the severity of the problem, consider these 2012 Florida DUI statistics:
- At least 17,199 alcohol-related auto accidents resulting in 12,016 injuries
- At least 697 fatalities from alcohol-related accidents
- 53,664 DUI arrests
- 28,689 DUI convictions
- 113,076 Floridians with three DUI convictions
- 11,681 Floridians with five or more DUI convictions
If you or a member of your family is injured by a drunk driver, you have a right to seek damages against the driver to help pay medical bills, compensate you for lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and other damages. To learn more about your rights and legal options and speak with one of the most experienced Orlando personal injury lawyers in the area, contact James O. Cunningham today at 386-243-4994. Mr. Cunningham has successfully represented injured people for nearly 40 years and few Orlando drunk driving accident attorneys have a better record of success helping injured people receive the fair and just compensation they deserve. Call him today to schedule your free 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.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call at (386) 243-4994.
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