Florida Man Sentenced to 16 Years for DUI Death
An Ormond Beach man, Louis Prinzo, was sentenced to 16 years on Tuesday for various charges related to a 2012 DUI crash that killed two teenagers. Prinzo was high on oxycodone, marijuana and alprazolam when he turned in front of two oncoming vehicles on July 26. 2012. Subsequently, investigators found that Mr. Prinzo did not have a prescription for the medications and had obtained them illegally. He was booked for DUI and released on bond awaiting trial back in 2012.
On July 26, 2014 while out on bond, Prinzo was again picked up by Volusia County law enforcement on a DUI charge. At the time of his arrest, police officers say Prinzo had an empty insulin syringe tucked behind one ear, the same as the night of the 2012 crash. Since the 2014 DUI, Prinzo has been in jail awaiting sentencing for DUI manslaughter in 2012, as his option to bond out was revoked by a Volusia County judge.
In 2013, Florida experienced over 700 deaths related to driving under the influence and the pace of these incidents is similar for 2014. Although many traffic stops for DUI involve drivers who have a BAC of twice the legal limit or more, it may only take two drinks to push the average adult over the limit. These statistics illustrate just how common the risk of encountering another motorist driving under the influence is for Florida drivers.
According to the Florida DMV, the best defense against drunk driving is awareness and education. We are approaching one of the most happy and yet difficult times of the year for many people. Alcohol can be part of a celebration for some and a way to drown sorrow for others. By offering a safe ride home, having the courage to take the keys from friends and reporting erratic driving behavior that we encounter on the road, we can all help to end DUI related deaths on Florida’s highways.
Contact Florida drunk driver accident attorney James O. Cunningham today 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.