2 Killed, 4 Injured In Ocala DUI Crash
Car accidents are common occurrences, especially around the holidays, when many people flock the roadways to travel to see family members. Unfortunately, many crashes result in fatality.
Sadly, this was recently the case in Ocala. A two-vehicle crash killed two people and injured four others. The fatal accident occurred on the morning of November 24 on U.S. 441 North. The negligent driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred near Northwest 95th Street. A Chevy Silverado was traveling northbound on U.S. 441 when it went around a UPS semi tractor trailer. The Silverado went into the right lane and rear-ended a KIA Sedona SUV. The impact caused the KIA to veer off the road and overturn onto the right shoulder. Four occupants were ejected.
The driver of the SUV was a 58-year-old man. He was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville for minor injuries. His wife and daughter, ages 61 and 32, were ejected from the vehicle. Both died at the accident scene.
The driver’s son, 29, was in the front seat. He was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. The son’s wife, 26, and daughter, 10 months, were ejected from the SUV. The wife is currently at Ocala Regional Medical Center in serious condition. The daughter is at UF Health Shands Hospital in critical condition. The victims were a family from Homestead who were driving to North Carolina for Thanksgiving.
Firefighters had to extricate those sitting in the front from the mangled SUV. A child car seat was sandwiched by debris. Roads were closed for several hours as police investigated.
Evidence shows that this was a high-speed crash. A witness believed the Silverado was traveling above the 65 mph speed limit.
Troopers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver of the Silverado. His eyes were allegedly bloodshot and watery and he was swaying. There were also empty beer cans in the back of the pickup truck. In the front was a flask that smelled like alcohol.
Despite all the evidence, the man refused to participate in a field sobriety exercise or give a blood sample. However, law enforcement officials were able to get a search warrant to obtain a sample of the man’s blood. The sample will be tested at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory.
The driver of the Silverado, a 32-year-old man from Boca Raton, faces multiple criminal charges, including two counts each of DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injuries, and DUI with property damage. The man is currently in Marion County Jail, with bail set at $22,000.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Car accidents can be serious in nature, resulting in serious injuries and even death. The aftermath can result in significant damages.
Seek compensation with help from the Bradenton car accident lawyer at the Cahall Law Firm. We will help you get justice for you or your loved one’s injuries. Schedule a free consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (941) 281-2019.
Resource:
ocala.com/story/news/2021/11/24/dui-manslaughter-arrest-florida-crash-killed-2-injured-3/8746097002/
