Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
A recent sentencing of a man in his late twenties is a good reminder to us all of how your life can change drastically when you make a bad choice to get behind the wheel intoxicated and cause a drunk driving accident in West Palm Beach or elsewhere in the state.
CBS 12 News reports that a drunk driver who drove the wrong way and killed three people back in 2008 was sentenced to 33 years in prison. The defendant had pleaded guilty on three counts of DUI manslaughter asking for 4 to 8 years, which is well below normal sentencing for this type of crime. The drunk driver was intoxicated more than twice the legal amount permitted when he headed south on the northbound lane of I 95 and hit an oncoming vehicle with four occupants. Only one passenger survived the accident.
Prior to sentencing, a private investigator hired by prosecution played a video for the judge which showed the defendant drinking beer in a bar three weeks prior, which was a violation of his bond agreement. The judge from West Palm Beach court handed down a fair sentence for a man who appeared not to have learned his lesson from the tragedy that took the lives of three people over three years ago.
Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys hope that motorists close out the summer driving season on a good note by making good choices that don’t lead to tragic events for other families. A family’s feelings of turmoil and devastation are the only things that can come from someone getting behind the wheel while under the influence and taking someone’s life.
Another tragedy in the news recently was the arrest of a West Palm Beach alleged drunk driver who took the life of a young child last October. The Palm Beach Post reports that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is charging the driver with DUI manslaughter and causing property damage, as well as, personal injury.
The October accident occurred when the mother driving her 10-year-old daughter was traveling on Northlake Boulevard. She struck a Ford F-250 truck driven by the alleged intoxicated driver, which was stopped in the middle of the road. The young girl was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center where she later died from severe neck injuries.
The Florida Law Enforcement Liaison Program is a funded grant sponsored by Florida Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with one goal in mind; work together to improve roadway safety which can ultimately save lives. Law enforcement departments throughout the state are challenged to improve efforts made towards traffic safety programs which focus on educating motorist about seatbelt safety, drunk driving and speeding to name a few. A few of this year’s top spots awarded for their efforts include:
-Lee County Sheriff’s Office took first place in DUI Sustained Enforcement and third place for the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge and Click It or Ticket Challenge.
-Temple Terrace Police Department placed second in the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge, second in the Click It or Ticket Challenge and took third place in the DUI Sustained Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are working together to improve highway safety for everyone who shares Florida roadways. No better effort can be made than from motorists who choose not to get behind the wheel after a few too many alcoholic drinks.
If you or a family member has been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, contact the car accident lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for advice about how to win your case. Call 1-800-561-7777 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Additional Resources:
28-year-old sentenced to 33 years, killed 3 in drunk driving accident, CBS12 News
West Palm Beach man charged with DUI manslaughter in death of 10-year-old girl last October, by Michael Finch II, The Palm Beach Post
Victim Awarded More than $15 Million after Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 13, 2011