On the morning of Wednesday, January 31st, police in Lake County responded to a call from a distressed driver saying that another vehicle had nearly hit them before running them off of Lake Ella Road. The caller told the dispatcher that they were able to watch the dangerous car turn off of U.S. 441 and onto Spring Lake Road. While driving down Spring Lake Road, the caller indicated that the car in question almost collided head-on with three other vehicles before the driver turned off of Spring Lake Road and into the parking lot of Trinity Church. The caller then told the police that a child exited the passenger side of the car and walked to the building, which also serves as a school.
Police with the Fruitland Park Police Department immediately began to try and intercept the individual behind the wheel of the erratically driving car. When they found the car, the driver was still inside, seemingly asleep in their chair. The initial report did not indicate whether or not the driver of the car was discovered in the parking lot of Trinity Church, along the road near the church, or somewhere else completely. What is clear is that when the officer approached the vehicle and found the driver passed out they tried to wake the man. Lurching out of sleep, the driver, identified later as Beauchemin, immediately put his car into drive and then crashed into a wooden fence nearby.
The officer, now with additional police force members, again walked over to the car and restarted the interaction. Beauchemin, angry at being woken from his nap, berated the officers and blamed them for causing him to collide with the fence. The report noted that at this time Beauchemin was slurring his words and that his eyes were bloodshot and unfocused. A breathalyzer was administered to Beauchemin and he subsequently registered a BAC of 0.233, more than two-times over the legal limit.
Beauchemin was arrested and is now facing numerous charges including DUI, child neglect, and property damage. It is not believed that anyone was injured as a result of Beauchemin’s actions, however the case is still under investigation.
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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