According to statistics, each year there are more than 5,000 accidents that involve alcohol in Florida. Over 350 of these accidents result in fatal injuries. When a person is killed, the intoxicated driver can be charged with DUI manslaughter. A driver can be charged with this whether they are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs or a combination of the two.
DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony in Florida and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. There is also a four-year mandatory sentence if convicted and the driver faces losing their license permanently. If they are able to get a hardship license, they may have to have an ignition interlock device installed and attend alcohol or drug treatment courses.
The Lakeland, Florida Patch reports that a Bartow man has been arrested 5 months after a DUI crash that killed one person.
Nearly five months ago, 23-year-old Dallas Droz was speeding in a 2007 Ford Taurus westbound on State Road 60. Near the intersection with Richland Road, Droz swerved into the median and struck the passenger side of a 2013 Chevrolet Impala being driven by Gabriel Bourne.
A passenger in Bourne’s vehicle, identified as Isabel Castro suffered from serious injuries in the accident. She was rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Droz tested positive for cocaine, alcohol, cocaethylene, and benzoylecgonine at the time of the crash. An officer at the scene of the crash noted that there was spilled beer inside the vehicle.
Droz was arrested on May 18th at his residence. He is facing charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.
New Wrong-Way Crash Prevention Plans in Florida Wrong-way crashes, while less common overall, can be especially deadly. Statistics from the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimate that prior to 2018, wrong-way collisions resulted in 34 fatalities per year in Florida. More recently, authorities in the state estimated that out of 3,850 wrong-way crashes, nearly 30 percent resulted in fatalities, according to Local 10....
Teen Driver Risk Inexperienced Teen Drivers Pose a Risk to Others on Florida Roads All drivers are potentially dangerous, possibly causing serious Florida car accidents involving you or your family members. These wrecks can cause serious injuries, such as broken bones or internal bleeding, and can even result in loss of life. Though any driver can cause a...
Talk to Your Teen about What to Do after a Auto Accident As a parent, you do everything you can to keep your kids safe from harm. This includes prepping your teenager on what to do after a car accident in Fort Lauderdale. Having a well-thought-out accident plan won’t necessarily prevent injury, but it may help lessen the effects and protect your family’s right to financial recovery....
Child Passenger Safety Week (9/14-9/20) : How to Tell if Your Child is in the Right Car Seat Car safety seats for children play a vital role in protecting your kids when driving in the car. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) citing a 2011 study in Pediatrics, car seat use reduces the risk for death to infants by 71 percent, and for toddlers by 54 percent. Sadly though,...
How To Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale Florida law requires responding officers to file a crash report after any car accident that involves fatality, personal injury, or property damage over $500. If another party was at fault for your car accident, the police report can offer critical details to support an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Understanding how to get a...
Is It Possible to Recover More Than Your Auto Insurance Policy Limits In Florida? In Florida, it is often possible to recover more compensation than your auto insurance policy limit following a car accident. The key to obtaining more than the limits of your own policy is to hold the at-fault party responsible for your accident injuries and damages. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be...
What To Do if Farmers Insurance Denies My Car Accident Claim? Farmers Insurance may deny a claim for various reasons, but you can appeal that decision. If Farmers Insurance denies a claim, they must send you a notice of the denial with information about why your claim was not accepted and the instructions to file an appeal. Although many opt to go through the appeals process...
What Are Some Typical Car Accident Injuries You Can Seek Compensation for In Florida? Car accidents injuries vary as widely as the specific circumstances that cause them. Although scrapes and cuts commonly result from items being strewn about the car amidst a collision, other injuries—from moderate, to severe, and even fatal—present themselves with alarming frequency. Some of these more serious injuries might not be immediately apparent to the accident...
