DUI Manslaughter Charges for Man Behind Hit-and-Run Death in Orlando

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 4, 2018

A 22-year-old traveling through Orlando is facing charges of DUI manslaughter after an incident that took place on Saturday, May 26th, along Universal Boulevard and Destination Parkway. According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, the 22-year-old in question was driving down the road when they approached the above-mentioned intersection. At the time of their approach, the light for their lan was red and the traffic before them had stopped in accordance with the law.

The 22-year-old, who was driving at an elevated rate of speed (although the reports failed to state whether or not the man was traveling above the speed limit), failed to register that the cars before them were stopped and subsequently failed to engage the breaks on his car. This resulted in a rear-end collision between the 22-year-old’s car and the car immediately in front of him. This second car was pushed with tremendous force into the rear of several other cars also momentarily stopped at the intersection.

Due to the damage sustained in the incident, the first car rear-ended by the 22-year-old burst into flames. It is not clear if police were on the scene at this time or if was simply the work of passing motorists, but the person inside of the struck vehicle, a 26-year-old Kissimmee resident, was pulled from their car as it burned. Unfortunately, the injuries they sustained in the initial crash and in the fire before they were pulled from it were severe, and they were declared dead while still at the scene of the incident.

Florida troopers stated that the 22-year old left his vehicle and attempted to escape from the scene on foot. He ran to a hotel located near to the area, and this is where the police caught up with him and made their arrest. In the report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol, it is stated that the 22-year-old smelled strongly of alcohol and made repeated references to the mistake he made in driving while intoxicated.

The 22-year-old suffered from minor injuries in the incident and the authorities first took him to a nearby hospital for treatment. Afterwards, he was arrested and handed the above-mentioned charges. His bail was set at $20,000.

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.