Pedestrian Struck and Killed along Colonial Drive
On Saturday, shortly after 10:00 in the evening, a 46-year-old Orlando resident named Maria Guzman was on foot by Colonial Drive. Witnesses to the scene say that Guzman’s path was taking her along the south side of Colonial Drive when she decided to cross the street. Guzman approached a crosswalk at an intersection and began to cross the street.
At the same time as Guzman made this decision, a four-door Dodge being driven by an unnamed man who has yet to be described in any way approached the intersection. Westbound on Colonial Drive, the driver of the Dodge saw that the light governing the intersection turned green for his lane. As it passed through the intersection, the Dodge struck Guzman, badly injuring her.
Emergency response teams and the Florida Highway Patrol were called in to the scene in order to try and rescue the woman. She was loaded into an ambulance and transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. There, the doctors and nurses on duty did everything they could for the woman, but it happened that the wounds she suffered in the accident were simply too much for her to overcome. She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s initial report, the accident is still under investigation while detectives with the Orlando Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol attempt to ascertain whether or not the crash could have been prevented and if so who should have prevented it. The witnesses at the scene of the crash unanimously indicated that the light was green for the driver of the Dodge. If this is correct, it would mean that the car possessed the right of way even though Guzman was using the crosswalk.
Until the investigation concludes, however, it is important to remember that there are possibly additional pieces of information that may emerge. A report on the condition of both Guzman and the driver of the Dodge prior to the accident has yet to be filed, and it is not clear whether or not the Florida Highway Patrol are considering testing for the presences of substances such as alcohol or other drugs. It is not believed that any charges have been filed against anyone involved in the deadly crash.
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.