$22.1M SETTLEMENT catastrophic brain injury due to a defective product $6.5M SETTLEMENT catastrophic catastrophic personal injury case settled in federal court $5.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic car accident involving a defective tire $3.0M VERDICT catastrophic defective tire case - Bridgestone + Ford $2.2M SETTLEMENT catastrophic pedestrian accident resulting in a pelvic injury $1.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic automobile accident fatality case $1.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic defective tire accident resulting in a brain injury
Espanol
(855) 529-0269

Man Arrested After Leaving the Scene of an Accident to Stash Drugs

Posted on

Florida has laws regarding what a driver must do following an accident. One of those laws requires a person to remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident that involves only property damage can be charged as misdemeanor hit-and-run. If the accident involves injuries, then leaving the scene can be charged as a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Lastly, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

ABC News reports on a man who admitted to police that he left the scene of an accident to stash drugs at his home.

37-year-old Terrence Pressey was arrested by police last week after he allegedly told officers that he left the scene of a deadly crash last fall to go home and stash drugs.

The crash occurred last fall in Dania Beach, where Pressey hit 53-year-old Madhusudan Bhetwal as he crossed the street. Bhetwal died at the scene. Pressey did contact 911 after the crash and remained on the phone with the 911 dispatcher as he returned to the scene.

Initially, Pressey told authorities that he left the scene to drop off his passenger, but he later retracted that statement and admitted that he was alone. He then said he had returned home to stash a small amount of marijuana.

Last Thursday, Pressey was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a deadly accident and possession of marijuana. He is being held on $20,000 bond.

Authorities did not explain why they waited nearly five months after the crash to arrest Pressey.

 

Drunk Driving Accidents News:
A Child Was In The Backseat In A DUI Accident That Killed A Passenger

In Florida, the most serious DUI cases are those that involve the death of another person. DUI manslaughter is a felony charge and if convicted, the driver faces up to 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. This charge also has a four-year mandatory sentence. In Florida, unlike a typical DUI, the police can...

Women Sentenced to 9 Years After Pleading Guilty to DUI Manslaughter

Florida takes every DUI offense seriously, but the crime of DUI manslaughter is usually taken more seriously. DUI manslaughter is loosely defined as killing someone in an auto accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties include up to fifteen years in prison, up to fifteen years on probation, up to $10,000 in...

Accident That Killed Two Teen Girls May Have Involved Alcohol

Any auto accident that results in a fatality is both a tragic and traumatic event. If the accident involves alcohol, prosecutors in Florida are likely to vigorously prosecute the driver. One of the charges that the driver can face is DUI manslaughter. If convicted, Florida state law mandates a four-year minimum prison sentence. The maximum...

Driver Accused of DUI Manslaughter After Death in Key Biscayne

Ever since a mandatory minimum sentencing law was passed in 2007, Florida has had a minimum sentence of 4 years for a DUI manslaughter conviction. Prosecutors can waive this requirement and allow a judge to sentence leniently. Even with the mandatory minimum sentence, the sentences can vary widely. For example, in a 2009 case involving...

Drunk Driving Accidents FAQ:
How Many Accidents Are Caused by Drunk Driving How Many Accidents Are Caused by Drunk Driving?

According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 10,142 people died in drunk driving accidents nationwide. That equals about one fatality every 52 minutes. In 2019, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says that drunk driving caused 4,984 collisions, 351 of which were fatal.  If you...

Uninsured Drunk Driving Accidents: How to Seek Compensation Uninsured Drunk Driving Accidents: How to Seek Compensation

You can seek financial compensation after getting hit by an uninsured drunk driver. One of your first options is to seek benefits from your insurance policy. You can also sue the driver, who must pay you from their assets. A Fort Lauderdale drunk driving lawyer from our law firm can also determine if someone else is...

Florida Dram Shop Laws Florida Dram Shop Laws

Dram shop laws refer to the statutes governing the liability of places that sell alcohol. In an accident, like a drunk driving accident, these laws can dictate whether you can file a lawsuit against the dram shop for serving the person who injured you. These laws differ by state, so Florida has its laws with...