Florida Man Arrested for DUI Crash That Injured 1-Year-Old and Two Others

A Florida man has been arrested after being suspected of driving under the influence in a crash that injured 3 people including a 1-year-old child. Troopers said the crash occurred on Friday around 11:15 p.m. on Interstate 95 in Melbourne.

According to the investigation, a driver in a Lexus failed to slow down as it approached a Toyota. The report stated that the Toyota was going over 100 miles per hour in a 70-mile-per-hour zone. The Lexus then rear-ended the Toyota, which caused the Toyota to run off the road and overturn, striking a traffic sign.

Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the Lexus had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his person. After failing a series of sobriety tests, the driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

A 1-year-old child who was a passenger in the Toyota was flown by helicopter to Arnold Palmer Hospital. At the last report, the child was alert and stable. Two others sustained injuries in the crash. One of them was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center with a trauma status. A female passenger sustained a head injury, broken clavicle, and a broken leg, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The other passenger was taken to Viera Hospital for their injuries.

The driver of the Lexus was taken to Brevard County Jail where he awaits several DUI-related charges. Below, we’ll discuss the charges that the driver is likely to face.

DUI causing serious bodily injury 

Under Florida law, driving under the influence can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances involved. In cases where no one is injured or killed, it is generally charged as a misdemeanor unless you have several prior DUI charges.

Under Florida Statute § 316.193(3), any person who causes serious bodily injury while driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance can be charged with a felony in the third degree. A third-degree felony is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

In addition to the criminal penalties, there are also administrative penalties related to your driver’s license. Those convicted of DUI causing serious bodily injury face a mandatory minimum of 3 years of driver’s license suspension.

In this case, the defendant’s accident resulted in “serious bodily injury” to at least two people. One of the individuals injured in the crash went to the hospital, but it was not clear what their injuries were. If their injuries were substantial (like the other two passengers) then the defendant can be said to have caused serious bodily injury to three individuals. That would result in 3 counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury, all felonies.

Talk to an Orlando, FL DUI Attorney Today 

If you have been charged with causing an accident that resulted in an injury to another person while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then you will need a skilled Florida DUI defense attorney to handle your case. Call FL DUI Group today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.

Source:

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