Driver Behind Fatal April Hit-and-Run Located and Arrested

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on October 18, 2019

The person believed to be responsible for a fatal hit-and-run within Apopka that took place early this past April was finally arrested on Thursday, October 3rd. The initial incident, which happened on the 1st of April, reportedly took place around 11:40 at night. At this time, two individuals were inside of a van, driving towards the intersection of West Michael Gladden Boulevard and South Hawthorne Avenue. The driver of the van stated that he was on his way to get cough medicine for the 64-year-old passenger.

When they reached the intersection of West Michael Gladden Boulevard and South Hawthorne Avenue, a BMW being driven at close to 60 miles per hour sped through a stop sign and collided with the van. The van flipped over, violently colliding with the asphalt and resulting in both of the individuals inside to sustain severe injuries. When the emergency response crews arrived, they were able to free the driver of the van and rush them to a nearby hospital. The van’s 64-year-old passenger, however, was pinned within the vehicle, badly injured, and died before rescuers were able to free her.

The driver of the van suffered from massive injuries as a result of the crash, only leaving the hospital after receiving 28 screws as well as two rods installed along his spine. At the time of this writing, it is still not clear if the individual is able to walk like normal.

The driver of the BMW and their passenger fled from the scene on foot. When police arrived, they found a cup inside of the car. Inside this cup were traces of alcohol, Oxycodone, Alprazolam, cocaine, and amphetamines. The following investigation revealed that the car belonged to the girlfriend of the driver.

It is not clear how the authorities were finally able to locate and apprehend the 35-year-old driver of the BMW, and it is also not known if the passenger of the BMW was located. What we know at this time is that the 35-year-old faces numerous charges, each carrying a hefty penalty as well as jail time. These charges range from reckless driving involving serious bodily injury to vehicular homicide.

Sources:

• Man who ran stop sign arrested months after fatal hit-and-run crash, police say

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.