Police say Alcohol and Excessive Speed were Contributing Factors in Rollover Accident
A Longwood city commissioner and his female passenger are in critical condition after a recent rollover accident near the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and North Street in Longwood. Witnesses to the accident told investigating police that the white Ford Mustang the commissioner was driving was seen speeding and ran a red light shortly before the accident. Longwood police say that alcohol was a factor in the crash, which began when the Mustang struck a median and overturned after running the red light.
"The toxicology samples have been submitted to [the Florida Department of Law Enforcement] and the results are pending," Longwood Officer Kevin Tuck said. "Charges will be determined pending the outcome of those results."
The 62-year-old commissioner and his 61-year-old passenger were rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition with head injuries. His passenger is listed in serious but stable condition with unknown injuries.
Longwood police told reporters that they had received reports about a white car driving erratically before the accident occurred but did not pursue the vehicle, as it is against department policy.
According to statistics compiled by the Century Council, 716 Floridians were killed in alcohol-related car accidents in 2011. They found that alcohol was a contributing factor in nearly 30 percent (29.9%) of all fatal auto accidents that year. In 72 percent of fatal alcohol-related accidents in our state that year, at least one driver had a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.15, nearly twice the limit of being legally drunk.
If a drunk driver has injured you or a member of your immediate family, you have a right to seek damages against that driver to pay for hospital bills, lost income, property damage and other damages. If you would like to speak with an aggressive Orlando personal injury lawyer to learn more about your rights and legal options, call James O. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587). Few Orlando drunk driving accident attorneys have more experience or a better record of success helping their clients get the compensation they deserve than Mr. Cunningham and he handles each aspect of his clients’ cases personally. Call him today to schedule your free 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.