Orlando Woman Struck By Five Vehicles on Interstate 4

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on January 3, 2011

A 25-year-old Orlando woman struck by five vehicles while walking across Interstate 4 in Volusia County on February 15 died from her injuries, according to Florida Highway Patrol accident investigators. Troopers said a truck, SUV and tractor-trailer all struck the woman after she was in a single-vehicle accident nearby. They said the woman had experienced an accident in the westbound lanes of I-4 near Deltona and was trying to get help when she was struck and killed by the vehicles. Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham would like to remind everyone that if your car breaks down on a busy street or highway, you should remain in your vehicle until the police arrive.

“Instead of walking down the ramp on the west side, she crossed over the eastbound lanes,” FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said. “The interstate is very dangerous and it’s no place for a pedestrian.”

Troopers think she was heading to the Best Western Deltona Inn nearby for help and would have had to cross three westbound lanes, a wide median and six eastbound lanes to arrive at her destination. The victim was first struck by a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by a 51-year-old South Carolina man. The impact threw the victim’s body into the center lane where it was struck and run over by at least three vehicles, including a Jeep Cherokee, the tractor-trailer, an Acura Integra and another undisclosed vehicle. Officers said the victim died at the scene, and the accident closed I-4 for several hours.

Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham would also like to remind everyone that it is illegal to walk, ride a bike or operate any other non-motorized vehicle along Florida interstates. He fully supports FHP Sgt. Kim Montes who said, “We don’t want people to get out of their car and direct traffic. Other drivers might not see a pedestrian and become disoriented and strike that person or run off the roadway.”

It’s fairly clear that in this case, the victim was engaging in very risky behavior by trying to cross several lanes of heavy traffic. However, in many pedestrian accident cases, the victim is merely walking along the road or crossing with the light at an intersection when struck by a vehicle and injured. If you experienced injury in an accident and you want to speak with an attorney, call Mr. Cunningham at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Do you have questions? He has answers and the experience to help you receive the fair and just compensation you deserve. Call him today to schedule your 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.