On June 9th, a man driving at high speed collided with a stopped Toyota Corolla on 8th Street and 37th Avenue here in Coral Gables. The two occupants of the Toyota, both women from Sweetwater, died on the scene, and the driver was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital. For days, police investigated to find the cause of this Coral Gables car accident, but it wasn’t until the driver’s toxicology came back that they knew he was driving drunk.
What Will Happen To The Driver?
Now police have placed the 26-year-old into custody while he recovers at the hospital. When he is discharged, the driver will be transported to Dade County Jail where he will probably face charges for reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.
How Many Drunk Driving Accidents Happen In Florida?
In 2013, 2,407 people died in Florida auto accidents and 676 of those deaths were alcohol-related. These numbers are down from previous years, but only by a narrow margin. The state’s alcohol-related death rate is also holding just below the national rate of 31 percent. It would not take much for Florida to slide back into a drunk driving epidemic, but we can do something about it.
How Can I Help?
Offer rides to friends who have had too much to drink, take a cab or use a rideshare app if you’ve had too much to drink, and don’t be afraid to call the police if you see someone driving erratically. You can also use the legal system to spread awareness about drunk driving.
Drunk drivers are liable for the damages they cause and the lives they take, and sometimes a civil lawsuit can help spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving. Don’t be afraid to contact an attorney if you are injured by a drunk driver, and keep following our blog, Facebook, and Twitter for more tips and news.
Colson Hicks Eidson — Personal Injury Attorneys
