Moped Accident Leads to Teen Killed in Volusia County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 4, 2016

Early Sunday morning, Nicholas Eason, 18, a resident of DeLand was driving his moped west near Marsh Road, through Volusia County on U.S. Route 92, when a Nissan Xterra, driven by Craig Howitt, 39, a man from Port Orange, came up behind him. There is no indication that the Nissan Xterra slowed down at all for young Eason, and the evidence indicates that Howitt proceeded to collide with the back of the moped.

Eason’s moped was knocked out from under him, and he was thrown onto the hood of the Xterra. Sgt. Kim Montes, a Florida Highway police officer and the spokeswoman for the incident, says that after the initial collision, Howitt did not stop driving, even when Eason was subsequently thrown from the hood of the Xterra.

Howitt continued to drive until he hit a sign, but even then it was only a brief period of time before he was back on the road, speeding away from the critically injured Eason. Nicholas Eason was taken to the hospital, but did not survive.

Two miles from Marsh Road, Howitt was stopped by a police officer from DeLand. During the arrest procedure, it became clear that Howitt had been drinking. Booked into the Volusia County jail, Howitt now faces charges of leaving the scene of a fatal crash and DUI manslaughter. At the moment, the investigation is still ongoing, however there is little doubt as to Howitt’s culpability in the case.

Howitt’s reckless and unacceptable actions caused the death of a young person just starting to make his way in the world, and leaves Nicholas Eason’s family and friends stunned and bereft. These are the results to be expected from hit and run accidents as well as DUI accidents, when the thoughtlessness of one individual can result in the complete upending of life as we know it. Unfortunately, incidents such as this happen every day, and people are constantly being thrust into positions where they need to formulate a plan of action to stabilize their lives as well as grapple with the complex financial difficulties that arise from such catastrophes.

Doing this on your own can be nearly impossible. For over thirty years, Volusia County personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been fighting for the rights of victims injured in serious accidents. For a free initial consultation, contact us at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).

Sources:

• Troopers: DeLand Teen Dies in Traffic Crash
• Teen Killed in Alleged DUI Crash, Authorities 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.