Three People Seriously Injured in Tampa Highway Hit and Run
Troopers are looking for the driver in a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured two people and left a third in critical condition. The crash happened Wednesday, October 21st at 10:47 a.m. on U.S. 19, north of State Road 54, near Tampa, Florida. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a Hyundai Sonata was traveling northbound on U.S. 19 (north of State Road 54) in the inside lane, when the driver attempted to change lanes. The Hyundai collided with a 1994 Chevy Blazer traveling in the center lane. The impact caused the Chevy to rotate, and then flip multiple times. The driver and two passengers in the Chevy were ejected from the vehicle onto U.S. 19.
The driver, 22-year-old Derrick Sullivan, and passenger Shannon Smith, 20, were transported to Bayonet Point in serious condition. Another passenger, Kelleigh Tracy, 22, was transported in critical condition. Troopers say the other driver continued northbound on U.S. 19 without stopping.
Hit and run accidents are extremely common in every state. People run from the scene of an accident for many reasons, but the number one reason is for a lack of car insurance. In Florida, drivers must have car insurance in order to get a license, but once they have their driver’s license, they may illegally drop coverage or stop paying monthly premium payments. Without car insurance, many drivers are tempted to flee accident scenes in order to avoid penalties, not realizing that those penalties are often much less damaging than those imposed on them if they are caught after fleeing. When someone flees the scene of an accident with injuries, such as this one, there are often hefty fines and jail time for the runner once they are caught.
Sometimes people are able to make an escape and are never identified, but police and investigators are often able be track them down, especially when it takes place on a busy road or highway where there are several witnesses. If you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident, you are not out of luck. Even if the perpetrator is never identified, you can still receive compensation for your injuries. Attorney James Cunningham has vigorously represented hit-and-run and other car accident victims more than 30 years, and he will help you obtain as much compensation possible to help you recover from your car accident injuries.
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, contact our law firm by calling 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) to schedule a free 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.
