Winter Park Woman Dies in Wrong Way Crash

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 17, 2015

A fatal accident occurred late Tuesday night, April 14, in Central Florida. The accident happened on the heavily traveled Interstate 4, and was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to authorities, a fifty-eight year old woman was apparently driving on the wrong side of the road on the Interstate. Gloria Marcial had somehow maneuvered her Chevrolet HHR SUV to be traveling in the opposite direction (heading west) on eastbound I-4.

Some witnesses say she actually made a U-turn in the middle of the interstate, but that is not known to be accurate at this time. Several SUVs, semi-trailers and other vehicles dodged the car, driven by Marcial, with many calling 911 with desperate pleas for help. Some of these drivers were in minor accidents as a result of trying to get out of the way of Marcial’s vehicle. One car struck a guardrail, and another collided into a barrier near Maitland Boulevard. A third car collided with another vehicle around State Road 436. It is unclear if any other crashes occurred at this time.

Eventually, near Fairbanks Avenue, Marcial’s vehicle collided head-on with a pick-up truck driven by seventy-one year old Ralph Walters. Walters was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he is being treated for serious injuries. Marcial was also transported to the hospital, and she succumbed to her injuries, dying on Wednesday morning April 15. It is unclear on whether Walters will recover, or if he will have any permanent injuries. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident.

According to court records from Polk County, Marcial had been convicted of DUI in 2008. Currently, it is unclear on whether any alcohol or substances played a part in this accident. Results of a toxicology report from her autopsy are expected within a few days.

If you have been injured in a Florida auto accident, then contact us today at the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).

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.