Social Media Tips Help Authorities in Clermont Hit and Run Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on January 14, 2015

Social media is so prevalent today. A large majority of people have smartphones and can use those devices to send out messages on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. Social media allows people to share a large amount of information about a particular event or person.

This is exactly what happened after a hit-and-run accident in Clermont, an unincorporated area of Lake County. On Jan. 5, a later model black Honda Accord struck Johnny Christian Figueroa on U.S. Highway 27 around 10:45 p.m. near C.R. 474. The 22-year-old Figueroa was crossing the street when he was hit by the vehicle. The Honda Accord fled the scene. Figueroa died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the accident.

Law enforcement officials issued a press release about the accident and asked for the public’s help in locating the driver of the Honda Accord. They said the vehicle would most likely have damage on the front and front left side. The police received several inquiries about the accident and a tip from social media led investigators to the vehicle that they believed struck and killed Figueroa. The vehicle was taken into custody and police officers were interviewing several people who were suspected of driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. No charges had been filed, but police expected an arrest would take place in the near future.

The driver could face vehicular manslaughter charges because the person knew that the hit and run accident took place. In Florida, vehicular manslaughter is defined as “the killing of a human being, or the killing of an unborn child by any injury to the mother, caused by the operation of a motor vehicle by another in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of, or great bodily harm to, another.”

A person faces years in prison if convicted of vehicular manslaughter. Furthermore, the person could also face charges related to fleeing the accident, as it against the law to leave the scene of an accident after somebody has been injured.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident or hit and run scenario, 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.