Driving While Impaired: Tragic Motor Vehicle Accident in South Florida
A tragic incident occurred in southwestern Miami-Dade County when a Southwest Ranches firefighter, driving while impaired, caused a fatal accident. This crash resulted in the death of an elderly woman, severe injuries to his own three-year-old daughter and three others. Two victims were hospitalized with injuries. His daughter was transported to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit after being diagnosed with a fractured leg and multiple facial fractures. The driver also broke both of his own ankles. According to the Miami Herald, a toxicology test performed on the driver detected opiates, methamphetamines, and alcohol in his blood. The former lieutenant with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue pled not guilty to the charge of child neglect with great bodily harm.
Typically first responders respond to accidents to offer assistance, instead of causing the accident. This heart-wrenching event underscores the pervasive issue of drunk and impaired driving, affecting not only Florida but the entire nation. Thousands of people die annually due to accidents involving alcohol and/or drugs.
Impaired Driving Statistics
Driving while impaired, whether by alcohol, drugs, or a lethal combination of both, is a significant concern in Florida and across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, from 2009-2018, 7,573 people lost their lives in Florida due to crashes involving alcohol. Nationally, over 10,000 fatalities occur annually in accidents where alcohol is a contributing factor. However, these figures only account for alcohol-related crashes and deaths. They don’t encompass cases that include both alcohol and drugs. In the recent Miami-Dade County incident driver had opiates, methamphetamines, and alcohol simultaneously in his system.
Contact Schwed, Adams & McGinley
At Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A., our seasoned personal injury attorneys, with over 200 years of combined legal experience, have represented countless victims of motor vehicle accidents in Florida. Whether caused by someone driving while impaired, slip and fall incidents, or other personal injury scenarios, we are dedicated to securing justice for our clients.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident involving a drunk or impaired driver or any other type of motor vehicle accident, slip, or fall incident due to someone else’s negligence in Florida, reach out to the experienced personal injury attorneys at Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A. Call us today at 877-694-6079 or email contact@schwedlawfirm.com for a free consultation.