Moped Driver Killed in Lake County Hit and Run Incident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on July 19, 2017

A 26 year old male was killed when his moped was hit by two different vehicles in Lake County, Florida. Following the accident, one of the vehicles fled the scene. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the 26 year old male was driving his moped, along with an 18 year old female passenger, southbound on County Road 437 at the time of the accident.

The accident happened when a white Kia Soul ran a stop sign at the intersection of Central Avenue and CR 437. The Kia hit the front side of the moped, sending sent both the moped driver and passenger into the northbound lane of CR 437. The driver was then hit by an oncoming Toyota Prius that was unable to react and stop in time.

The moped driver died from multiple injuries sustained from the incident. The moped passenger was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital where she is being treated for serious injuries. According to FHP, the couple were not wearing helmets. Police say that the 48 year old male driver of the Prius and his 42 year old female passenger were not injured.

Although the driver of the Kia fled the scene, police do have video, taken by a nearby auto body shop. The video shows the Kia slamming into the moped and then hitting the gas and speeding away from the scene.

Family of the deceased moped driver have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his funeral expenses. However, according to Florida law, the family will likely be able to receive compensation for these expenses by filing a wrongful death claim against the driver of the Kia Soul. According to Florida’s wrongful death law, the surviving family of one who is wrongly killed due to the negligent actions of another can seek compensation. To do so, they must be close family (i.e., parents, spouse, children) and be able to show that they have suffered a financial loss as the result of the family member’s death.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an Orlando motor vehicle accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your injuries. To learn more, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today.    

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.