Orlando Grandmother and Child Seek Justice in Hit and Run Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 26, 2015

It’s tough being a pedestrian, especially in crowded cities. Nationally, the number of pedestrians involved in hit and run accidents declined over the last decade, but the probability of a pedestrian dying has increased. Pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur in urban areas and deaths are most likely to happen between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Luckily, that was not that case in a hit and run accident on May 17. On that day, Charlene Sandio was taking her 8-month-old grandson, Jayden, for a walk. She was crossing the street at the intersection of Coletta Drive and East Colonial Drive. A minivan attempted to make a right turn at the intersection and hit the grandmother and her child. The accident occurred around 2 p.m.

The driver of the minivan did not stop. She sped away as Sandio and her grandson lay on the ground. Sandio suffered a significant hip injury and the child received a concussion and a gash on his forehead. Police and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene. Sandio and her grandson were transported to the hospital. They were treated and released.

Sandio says she saw the driver look left when making the right turn but never looked right. The driver was described as a heavyset woman with long brown hair. Sandio believes the minivan had a Dallas Cowboys sticker on it and a car seat in the front.

The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for the suspect vehicle but no information about the vehicle had been located. They say that charges will be brought in the case if a suspect vehicle is found.

According to media reports, Sandio cannot understand how somebody can hit a woman and a small child and not stop. It could have been related to drinking. The majority of hit and run accidents involve consumption of alcohol by the driver. The hit-and-run driver is more worried about getting in trouble then the safety and wellbeing of the victim.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida automobile accident, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. immediately at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for a free initial consultation.

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.