Hit-and-Run Driver Who Injured Four-Year-Old Boy Arrested

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on February 23, 2013

Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man they say is responsible for a hit-and-run accident that injured a four-year-old boy early this month. Deputies say that the 19-year-old suspect has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license and burglary of an unoccupied structure. He is being held without bond in the Volusia County jail. Investigating officers say that the suspect lost control of his vehicle in a road rage incident with the driver of a green pickup truck. Deputies are still looking for the driver of the truck, as they want to interview him for additional details about the accident. Deputies told local reporters that the driver of the truck would not face any charges in connection with this hit-and-run accident.

The victim’s family is having difficulty understanding how someone could leave the scene of an accident that broke both of the boy’s legs. Deputies report that the suspect’s car struck the bus stop bench on which the boy and his family were sitting with such force that it broke the concrete supports. Accident investigators found a piece of headlight that broke off during the collision. A search of the part number revealed that the headlight came from a 1999 Chrysler 300M, the same make and model of vehicle that was set on fire and found in a Deltona parking lot the day after the accident. Deputies believe that the suspect deliberately set his car on fire to destroy evidence linking him to the accident.

After the suspect was taken into custody, local reporters asked him how he could leave the scene of an accident that badly injured a little boy. He waited five days after the accident before turning himself into Volusia deputies.

"I didn’t do nothing," the suspect said.

"He can deny and say he didn’t do it, but everybody knows he did it," said the victim’s brother, who witnessed the accident. "We just see these two cars driving right bumper to bumper, arguing. Then we see the one behind him throw something out, he comes back down and lost control."

The victim’s father added, "Where could you possibly go after that where you wouldn’t feel guilty and your conscience wouldn’t eat you alive?"

While a hit-and-run accident causing both of a young child’s legs to be broken is certainly troubling, the aftermath of this accident could have been much worse. The victim is confined to a wheelchair while his legs heal, but doctors expect that he will make a full recovery in the next six to eight weeks.

Have you been injured by a negligent driver? If so, you may be entitled to seek damages to help pay medical bills and other accident-related expenses. For more information about your rights and legal options, call 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) today to schedule a free consultation with Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham has nearly 40 years’ experience helping clients receive the compensation they deserve through court awards and settlements. Call today to get an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer on your side!

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.