skip to content

Fighting for Florida Car Accident Victims Since 1977

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
Home Blog Drunk Driving Accident

March 15, 2018

Police in Marion County have arrested a man believed to be driving while intoxicated when he struck and killed a bicyclist in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 8th.  A spokesperson for the Ocala Police Department told reporters that the 41-year-old Ocala resident was behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 when he turned down the eastern lanes of Northeast 24th Street at close to 2:00 in the morning.  At the same time, a 33-year-old on a bicycle was driving down the western lane of Northeast 24th Street.

It was right where the paths of the Ford and the bicycle crossed that the driver of the Ford lost control of the vehicle.  Swerving out of the eastern lane and into the western lane, the Ford then struck the cyclist before the 33-year-old could avoid the much larger and faster vehicle.

The force of the collision sent the man flying off of his bicycle and into a tangle of wires attached to a utility pole.  He then fell onto the shoulder of the westbound lanes.

Police were not notified of the collision until a few minutes later.  The driver of the F-150 did not stop at the scene to alert the police.  Instead, they drove back to the eastern lanes, and continued on their way.  It was not until they reached Northeast 24th Street’s 2300 block that they called the police.

Paramedics and EMT workers rushed to assist the cyclist, but there was nothing they could do when they arrived.  It is not clear if the man could have been saved had the driver reported the incident earlier, but we do know that by the time the medical teams reached him he was beyond medical help.  He was declared dead at the scene.

Members of the Ocala Police Department detained the driver of the F-150.  Breath samples were taken from him and analyzed.  The analysis came back to indicate that the drive’s BAC content was between 0.205 and 0.217.  The legal BAC limit is 0.08.

The driver of the F-150 now faces numerous charges, including DUI manslaughter and fleeing the scene of a fatal crash.

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.

Related Articles:

Free Consultation

If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call at (386) 243-4994.

Verdicts & Settlements

  • Rear End Car Accident:
    $3.75 Million Recovery
  • Semi-Truck Accident:
    $1.5 Million Recovery
  • Van Rollover:
    $1.2 Million Wrongful Death Recovery
  • Rear End Bus Accident:
    $775,000.00 Recovery
  • Truck Collides with Cow:
    $500,000.00 Recovery

Our Florida Offices

We have 15 convenient office locations around Central Florida to better serve our auto accident clients.

15 Florida Locations

Orange County:
Orlando, FL

500 Delaney Avenue #404
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-425-2000

Seminole County:
Lake Mary, FL

300 International Parkway #100
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: 407-487-4408

Osceola County:
Kissimmee, FL

17 S. Orlando Ave.
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: 407-966-4408

Volusia County:
Daytona Beach, FL

1301 Beville Rd., Suite 8
Daytona Beach, FL 32119
Phone: 386-243-4994

Volusia County:
DeBary, FL

465 Summerhaven Drive, Suite C
DeBary, FL 32713
Phone: 386-320-3911

Volusia County:
Deland, FL

120 South Woodland Blvd.
Deland, FL 32720
Phone: 386-206-1264

Citrus County:
Inverness, FL

110 North Apopka Ave.
Inverness, FL 34453
Phone: 352-205-4341

Polk County:
Lakeland, FL

1102 S. Florida Ave., Suite 104
Lakeland, FL 33803
Phone: 863-968-7551

Polk County:
Winter Haven, FL

325 Avenue A, N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-968-7173

Hillsborough County:
Tampa, FL

100 S. Edison St. Suite D
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-355-9772

Marion-Sumter Counties:
The Villages, FL

3420 U.S. Hwy. 27/441
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
Phone: 352-419-0825

Lake County:
Mt. Dora, FL

Mt. Dora, FL
Phone: 352-436-4696

Lake County:
Clermont, FL

3721 S Hwy 27, Suite A
Clermont, FL 34711
Phone: 352-503-4674

Brevard County:
Titusville, FL

506 S. Palm Ave.
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone: 321-222-7300

Brevard County:
Cocoa, FL

96 Willard Street, Suite 206
Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: 321-757-1373

Client Reviews

Previous Next
  • I was involved in a motor vehicle accident where the other driver ran a red light and my car was a total loss. I was referred to James Cunningham due to the fact that our attorney’s have been very impressed with James Cunningham’s work. This fact turned out to be very true… A Personal Injury Client
  • My car accident case was handled by Mr Cunningham and I was very pleased with how everything was done. He handles his own cases and his staff is top notch. He got me a very nice settlement without going to court. Derek
  • We contacted Jim Cunningham to help guide us through the "maize" of possible outcomes in settling with insurance companies, medical bills, and even police investigation with the accident. David
  • Cunningham worked hard was professional, supportive, diligent and always maintained contact. I am very satisfied with the service that him and his team provided. Mr Cunningham is a lawyer that will work for you. Dezhaun
  • I consulted with several attorneys, but as soon as I met James Cunningham, I knew he was the right attorney for me. He immediately expressed concern for my well-being, and his compassionate, professional manner put me at ease. Diane