Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
She calls herself a “party princess,” but after a recent accident on Miami Beach, she may want to reconsider.
The 20-year-old was involved in an accident on Collins Avenue where she reported a blood-alcohol concentration three times that of the legal limit, according to Mail Online.
In the recent accident, she allegedly hit a 49-year-old pedestrian, killing him, and just kept on going. A witness called 9-1-1 at roughly 6:00 a.m. and followed the young driver home. The witness described her to officers as being “really drunk.”
Our Miami-Dade drunk driving accident lawyers understand that drinking and driving is nothing to take lightly, especially when speaking of our younger drivers. These individuals may not be able to legally purchase alcohol, but that doesn’t mean that they are not at high risks for accidents involving alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports that close to 40 percent of high school students have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. More than 20 percent of these individuals binge drank. Close to 10 percent got behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
The young driver is now being charged with DUI manslaughter. Before officials got the feedback from the toxicology report, she was only charged with leaving the scene of a deadly accident.
One of the victim’s sons has decided to file a lawsuit against the young driver and against Nikki Beach (where the young lady worked and was at before the accident) for letting her drink so much and for allowing her to consume alcohol while being underage. The victim’s widow has also decided to file lawsuits.
You may have heard of the victim, too. Stefano Riccioletti was the executive chef at the exclusive Shore Club. He was on his way to work when the accident happened.
When officers got to her apartment shortly after the accident, they reported that her speech was slurred and that the Florida International University student smelled like alcohol.
Underage drinking not only increases the risks for an accident like this recent Miami-Date crash, but it can have a number of other long-term effects on our young ones:
-Problems in school.
-Legal problems.
-Unplanned and unprotected sexual activity.
-Increased risks for homicide or suicide.
-Abuse of other kinds of drugs.
-Severe memory problems.
-Death for over-drinking and alcohol poisoning,.
-Increased risks for other unintentional injuries like falls, burns and even drowning.
With the summer approaching, so are the risks for accidents for young drivers. We’ve got prom, graduation and summer break coming up. Summer serves as the most dangerous time of the year for these inexperienced drivers. Talk with them about the risks and the dangers of driving under the influence. Your talk could help to save a life.
Freeman & Mallard is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm dedicated to helping motorists who have been injured in South Florida accidents. Call today for a free consultation. 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
MADD and West Palm Attorneys Supporting Victims’ Rights, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, August 5, 2012
Drunk Driving Accidents Expected to Increase with Alcohol-Serving Fast Food Chains, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, July 14, 2011