Nephew of Dalai Lama Killed in Florida Pedestrian Accident
The nephew of Buddhism’s most revered leader was killed recently when he was walking along a roadway. He was trying to raise awareness about Tibetans trying to regain their independence from China. The 45-year-old nephew of the Dalai Lama was walking along State Road A1A around 7:30 p.m. on February 14 when a sports utility vehicle struck and killed him. Florida Highway Patrol officers say a 31-year-old Palm Coast man drove the SUV, but he has not been charged in connection with the fatal pedestrian accident. This stretch of S.R. A1A is especially notorious as a bicyclist was struck and killed nearby in September 2010.
The victim had been walking as part of a Valentine’s Day “Walk for Tibet.” Walkers were scheduled to begin in St. Augustine and walk to West Palm Beach. Although several other people had accompanied the man earlier in the day, the victim decided to walk another two miles by himself as the sky grew darker, and he sent his walking companions ahead to meet him at a restaurant. A spokesman for the Walk for Tibet website commented on the man’s death, saying, “Living epically comes at a price. Sorry it was so soon for him. He was just coming into his prime. His message would be to ‘be kind to each other, bring peace with your presence, claim your freedom and use it for good, and please support Tibetans to return to a peaceful life of dignity and independence.’”
Floridians know very well that our state leads the nation in pedestrian accident deaths and injuries every year. Since he hasn’t been charged in connection with the accident, the driver who struck and killed this man obviously wasn’t operating his vehicle in a negligent manner. However, in the vast majority of pedestrian accidents, that is not the case. Drivers who talk and text, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, run red lights, drive too fast for conditions and engage in other negligent behavior cause most of our state’s pedestrian accidents.
Have you or a close family member suffered injury in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver? If so, you need an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer to answer your questions, protect your rights and help you seek damages to help pay your medical bills. Call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule your free consultation. Mr. Cunningham has been helping injured people since 1977 and has earned the reputation as an aggressive advocate for injured victims. Call him today to get an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney on your side!
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.