Florida Officer Injured By Minivan in Clearwater Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on November 26, 2014

On November 24, 2014, a police officer in Clearwater, FL was hit by a white minivan while directing traffic at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Druid Road. The officer, who has yet to be named, was working on her day off in order to help the Salvation Army with the first day of their Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. When the incident occurred, there was a high volume of traffic stretching down Highland Avenue as people waited to pick up their free turkey.

A witness, Sheila Trexler, says that the minivan was stopped at the intersection when it suddenly began to accelerate with tremendous speed towards the officer. The officer is reported to have yelled for the driver, a 62-year-old female, to stop the car, and she put out her hands in either defense or authority when she was struck so hard that she flew through the air and landed on the car’s hood before crumpling to the ground.

Emergency vehicles were soon on the scene, and the injured officer was whisked away to a hospital. As of now, the news is that she has not sustained any life-threatening injuries, however the full extent of her condition is unknown at this time. According to Trexler, one of the firemen at the scene said that the officer’s injuries were not too severe, but that can only be confirmed by an official report.

After striking the officer, the van veered wildly off into the bushes nearby, where it stopped. The driver of the vehicle has since claimed that the accident occurred when the car’s accelerator became stuck to the floor. Police are investigating her claims, however there has been no report on the conclusion to their search.

Shortly after the incident, and after the officer was taken to the hospital, traffic was allowed to continue through the intersection, although the traffic investigators are still examining the site and the involved automobile in an effort to discern what exactly were the circumstances surrounding the incident. As of this time, there have been no reports that any other vehicles or individuals were involved in the accident.

Florida auto accident lawyer James O. Cunningham has extensive experience representing injured clients. Call us today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for additional information.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.