Two Pedestrians Killed by Intoxicated Driver in Palm Bay

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on March 5, 2019

Manslaughter charges were issued against an individual from Palm Bay who is being accused of striking and killing two pedestrians on Saturday, March 2nd, while traveling along Palm Bay Road. According to reports from the Palm Bay Police as well as from the West Melbourne Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 12:30 in the morning, when a white 2006 Chevrolet Express van was traveling down Palm Bay Road Northeast.

At the same time, two pedestrians had reached the intersection of Palm Bay Road Northeast and Riviera Drive Northeast. The two pedestrians, one 20-year-old and one 27-year-old were crossing the road at the same time that the Chevrolet van reached the intersection. The reports failed to state whether or not the road features a crosswalk and, if so, whether or not the walk sign was indicating that the two pedestrians had the right of way to cross the street. According to the driver of the Chevrolet van, the light facing Palm Bay Road Northeast was yellow when he reached the intersection and that he then stepped on the gas in order to pass through the intersection before the light turned red. The driver of the van said that he was on his way to pick up a pizza. While passing through the intersection, he said that his car hit something in the roadway. Shortly afterwards, he lost control of the van and crashed into a line of trees nearby. The driver of the Chevrolet then exited their vehicle and walked from the crash site to a gas station located nearby.

It is not clear who called 9-1-1, but it is believed that at some time around 12:50 emergency dispatchers in the area received reports of a pedestrian accident at the intersection of Palm Bay Road Northeast and Riviera Drive Northeast. When they arrived, they found the 20-year-old and the 27-year-old lying in the median of the road. Both individuals were declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet van, a 48-year-old Palm Bay resident, was found after his car was discovered near the gas station. Officers reported that the individual appeared to be intoxicated. He was arrested at the scene and now faces the charges mentioned above.

Sources:

• 2 pedestrians killed in Palm Bay crash; driver charged with DUI manslaughter

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.