Florida Man Paralyzed After High-Speed Chase

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on July 6, 2015

Criminal activity often causes a series of unforeseen events. Someone can commit and crime and then a crime can be committed against that person. That’s exactly what happened to a 52-year-old Florida man.

On June 22, Tony Flournoy was driving his Buick Le Sabre near Lincoln Street and George W. Engram Boulevard in Daytona Beach, Florida. For some unknown reason, Flournoy slammed his car into the back of a 2001 Toyota minivan. Rather than stop, Flournoy speed away.

The minivan was driven by 68-year-old Marice Thomas. Enraged at the hit-and-run accident, Thomas pulled his car back into traffic and pursued Flournoy. Reaching speeds of over 80 M.P.H., the two engaged in a high-speed chase. But the two drivers were not the only ones involved. Thomas’ vehicle had a six-year-old girl and two women. Both of the women urged Thomas to slow down, but he kept chasing Flournoy.

At Brentwood and Derbyshire Road, Thomas caught up with Flournoy and hit the rear end of Flournoy’s vehicle. Thomas continued to chase Flourney and hit the Buick six more times. One of the collisions caused Flournoy’s vehicle to be pushed through an intersection, prompting several people to call 911. Flournoy also called 911 after being hit several times.

A final hit by Thomas pushed Flournoy into a concrete barrier. The barrier was built to protect a utility line in the area. Emergency vehicles arrived at the scene and had to extract Flournoy from the vehicle. He was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center with serious injuries. Medical personnel say that Flournoy will live but is paralyzed.

Thomas has a significant criminal history and is considered a violent offender, according to the incident report. He was placed on four years’ probation in September of last year. Thomas was arrested on a probation violation stemming from the incident. He was held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Orlando auto 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.