Florida Police Arrest Man Who Sent 3 People to the Hospital During DUI Crash
State police have arrested a man accused of DUI in a crash that sent a 1-year-old child to the hospital along with two others. According to the FHP arrest report, a trooper was dispatched around 11:16 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 near mile marker 190. All lanes of the I-95 were shut down due to the crash. The crash involved a Lexus ES 350 F Sport that sustained heavy front-end damage and a Toyota Camry which overturned multiple times.
According to the troopers, the Lexus was traveling north on I-95 and approaching mile marker 190 in the center lane. The Camry was traveling in the same direction, directly in front of the Lexus. According to the accident report, the Lexus driver failed to slow down as it approached the Camry. As a result, the driver caused a rear-end collision with the Camry that caused it to flip and overturn multiple times. After the initial collision, the Camry ran off the road to the right and overturned in the grass median before crashing into a traffic sign. Troopers say that the Lexus was estimated to have been going about 100 mph in a 70 mph zone before the crash.
According to the arrest report, officers observed the driver of the Lexus with bloodshot watery red eyes, a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his breath, and slurred speech. Troopers also said the driver appeared very anxious and had a difficult time explaining what happened.
A Life Flight helicopter was brought in to fly the injured 1-year-old to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. The child was later determined to be alert and stable.
A second passenger in the Camry was transported to another medical facility as a trauma alert. The passenger was reported to be alert and stable but had a severe head injury alongside a broken clavicle and leg. A third passenger was sent to the hospital with “soft tissue” injuries.
After failing several field sobriety tests, the defendant driver was transported to the police station where he was forced to give blood. He refused a breath test at the scene. The driver faces one count of DUI causing serious bodily injury, three counts of DUI causing property damage, three counts of DUI causing injury to another person, and three counts of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury to another.
Analyzing the charges
Of the charges that the driver faces, the most serious is DUI causing serious bodily injury. This is considered a felony under Florida law and allowed police officers to get a warrant for the driver’s blood. DUI causing serious bodily injury is classified as a third-degree felony. It comes with a maximum sentence of 5 years in state prison and a fine of $5,000.
Talk to an Orlando DUI Lawyer Today
FL DUI Group represents the interests of drivers who are facing DUI charges in Orlando. Call our Florida DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your case right away.
Source:
clickorlando.com/traffic/2024/06/02/florida-troopers-arrest-man-accused-of-dui-in-crash-that-sent-1-year-old-2-others-to-hospital/
