Deputy Injured in Rollover Crash; Driver Charged with DUI
Recently, a Central Florida deputy was injured in a rollover crash and now, the driver is facing charges on suspicion of DUI. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy was taken to the hospital after being seriously injured in a rollover crash caused by an allegedly impaired driver in Ruskin.
On September 14th, at around 10:30 p.m., the deputy was responding to a call regarding a reckless driver near East College Avenue in Ruskin. The deputy was operating an unmarked 2021 Chevy Tahoe and was traveling westbound on East College Avenue. While crossing the intersection of 15th Street Southeast, a gray 2010 Ford F-150, driven by the 25-year-old suspect, entered the westbound travel lanes from a stop sign and struck the deputy’s vehicle on the passenger side. The impact caused the Tahoe to roll over several times and ejected the deputy from the vehicle. The deputy was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where he was listed as being in stable condition.
Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene and conducted a traffic accident investigation. According to police, the suspect displayed signs of impairment, and a subsequent breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.103 and 0.121.
The driver has since been charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI with property damage, and driving while license suspended with serious bodily injury.
DUI causing serious bodily injury
In Florida, the crime of DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury is defined in Section 316.193(3) of the Florida Statutes. To prove DUI causing serious bodily injury, the prosecution must establish three discrete elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Those include:
- The defendant drove or was in actual physical control of a vehicle;
- While driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle, the defendant was under the influence of alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties were impaired, or had a breath/blood alcohol level of .08 or higher; and
- As a result of operating the vehicle, the defendant caused or contributed to causing a serious bodily injury.
Causation is a required element of the prosecution. However, the defendant does not need to be the sole cause of the crash. Proof of simple negligence suffices for a conviction. Further, the State is not required to prove that the driver’s drinking caused the accident. Any form of negligence will suffice.
The definition of “serious bodily injury” is specific under the law. It consists of a physical condition that:
- Creates a substantial risk of death;
- Creates a substantial risk of serious personal disfigurement; or
- Creates a substantial risk of protracted loss of impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury is considered a third-degree felony under the law. It is punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years in state prison.
Talk to an Orlando Florida DUI Attorney Today
FL DUI Group represents the interests of Orlando residents who have been charged with any DUI-related offense. Call our Orlando DUI attorneys today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
westorlandonews.com/central-florida-deputy-injured-in-rollover-crash-suspected-dui-driver-charged/
