Reckless Driving and Speeding Leaves One Dead in Highlands City

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on February 1, 2017

Police are responding to an automobile accident occurring today on US 98, not too far from Smith Lane (south of the intersection with 540A) in Highlands City, Florida. According to initial police reports, the three vehicle crash has left one dead after they were ejected from the vehicle. The accident comes as a surprise as driving conditions were good – the highway has six lanes, there’s a grass median and shoulders and the weather was clear.

According to witnesses, a green Jeep Cherokee driven by a 33 year old female was traveling northbound on US 98 at a very high rate of speed. As she approached another vehicle, the Cherokee moved over to the right shoulder and into the grass where she attempted to pass other vehicles. However, at this point the driver lost control, causing her vehicle to rotate counter clockwise across the three northbound lanes. When it reached the center median, it flipped into a barrel roll and continued northwest, throwing the river out of the vehicle and into the southbound lanes in the process.

As the Cherokee continued to make its way across the median and towards the southbound lanes it met an oncoming silver Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 56 year old Lakeland man and a black Ford pickup truck driven by a 34 year female of Bartow. Also in the Ford were a six year old girl, the driver’s daughter. Witnesses say both vehicles saw the Cherokee coming across the median and attempted to avoid it by moving to the right. The Ford was struck by debris, being damaged on the driver’s side. The Chevrolet actually hit the Cherokee driver as she was ejected in front of his car.

Florida Highway Patrol has determined that the victim was not wearing a seat belt and the Cherokee’s airbags did not deploy. All others involved were wearing seatbelts. Luckily, neither of the other two drivers – nor the young girl – were seriously injured. However, all three were taken to a nearby hospital for treatments to minor injuries before being released shortly after.

Have you been injured in a Florida motor vehicle accident? You may have the right to be compensated for your injuries. To learn more, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today.

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.