Orlando Grandmother Allows Toddler to Drive, Causing Multiple Collisions

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on October 7, 2014

Orlando police recently arrested a grandmother for allowing her 3-year-old grandson to steer her car in the parking lot of an apartment complex, where it collided with several other cars. Police say that incident occurred at The Serrano Apartments near Cypress Woods Drive. A witness told officers that he heard a crash in the parking lot and saw a gold, four-door Chrysler crash head-on into a parked car and then back into another vehicle. The witness told police that he could clearly see the child standing in the lap of the woman and steering her car.

Police report that the woman’s name is Volanda Cousar. She is facing multiple charges, including child abuse and careless driving.

After seeing the woman’s car collide with tat least two vehicles at the scene, the witness told police that he ran out to confront the woman so she couldn’t flee from the scene. He said that he could clearly see that the woman was allowing the child to steer the car.

"He was in the front seat of her car. He was sitting in her lap. Her hands were not (on the wheel)."

"I asked her, ‘What are you thinking?’" the man said.

Police say that the child’s family is from New Jersey and that they were visiting the grandmother when the incident occurred. The boy’s mother took the child back home and the Florida Department of Children and Families is coordinating with New Jersey officials to make sure he is safe.

Fortunately, no one, especially the 3-year-old boy, was physically injured in this incident. However, the owners of the cars that were damaged by this woman’s negligence have certainly suffered significant financial injuries. Given the costs of repairing an automobile, it’s likely that most of the vehicles will require many thousands of dollars to repair or may be totaled by insurance companies, leaving the owners with no car and no way to get to and from work through no fault of their own.

If you have suffered any type of injury due to another party’s negligence and you would like to learn more about your rights and legal options, call Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) and schedule a free consultation. In nearly four decades of helping injured people, Mr. Cunningham has helped countless clients receive the fair and just compensation they deserve through court awards and negotiated settlements. If you would like to speak with one of the most experienced and successful Orlando property damage lawyers in the area, call Mr. Cunningham today and schedule your 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.