Winter Park Bicyclist Killed by Drunk Driver
Crossing the street can be a challenge as a pedestrian or a bicyclist. You often have to negotiate several lanes of traffic and cars can be coming from multiple angles. The task is made more dangerous when a drunk driver jumps the curb and runs down the bicycle rider. That is exactly what happened to man in Winter Park, Fla.
On September 12, 49-year-old John Perio, of Winter Park, was riding his bicycle and decided to cross Semoran Boulevard near Hanging Moss Road. The road is a multi-lane highway with a raised medium in the middle. Perio crossed one direction of traffic and was in the raised medium waiting for traffic to clear.
Febres Alicea, of Winter Park, was driving in the left lane down Semoran Boulevard in a Nissan truck. He either lost control of the truck or swerved. Either way, the truck jumped the curb and went onto the median in the middle of the road. Alicea struck Perio around 11:15 in the morning. As a result of the accident, Perio was thrown into the air and landed on the pavement.
Emergency personnel were called to the scene, and the Florida Highway Patrol began investigating the accident. Perio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Florida Highway Patrol interviewed Alicea and did an alcohol test. Law enforcement officials had enough evidence to arrest Alicea. He was charged with driving under the influence manslaughter. He was held on $25,000 bail at the Orange County Jail. Blood was drawn from Alicea for further analysis to determine if he was under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time of the accident.
During an interview on local media, Alicea’s brother said he was estranged from his brother and did not have much contact. He said he felt bad about the accident and the death that his brother caused. The accident was the second deadly crash in the area in a week. That accident was a hit and run.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. immediately at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for a free initial consultation.
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.