DUI crash in Clearwater: A pedestrian was killed on Monday, April 5th in Clearwater, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The car vs. pedestrian accident occurred on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard at about 8:45 pm., just west of Belcher Road. The pedestrian, who was not identified, was struck by a Jeep Patriot. After the accident, he was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he later died. The driver of the Jeep, an 18-year-old man, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of DUI.
Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of the victim of this crash. Losing a loved one unexpectedly is heartbreaking and devastating. Crashes involving impaired drivers are especially frustrating, as they can so easily be prevented.
DUI crash in Clearwater
Cause of the Clearwater Pedestrian Accident
Clearwater Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the April 5th pedestrian accident. If the investigation confirms that the driver was in fact impaired by drugs or alcohol, or otherwise driving negligently, the driver may be liable for the wrongful death of the pedestrian.
Unfortunately, a high number of pedestrian accidents occur in the Tampa area. The Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area was recently ranked as the eighth deadliest metro area nationwide for pedestrians. Nine of the top 20 listed areas were in Florida. At night, visibility is greatly reduced and pedestrians are especially vulnerable.
Driving Under the Influence Is Against the Law
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law. Under Florida statute § 316.193(1), a driver may be charged with driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent or more per 100 milliliters of blood, or breath alcohol level exceeds 0.08 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. Charges and penalties may be enhanced if bodily injury or death occurs.
Florida, like many other states, also has a Zero Tolerance law. Drivers under age 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02 will lose their license for six months for a first offence.
Unfortunately, in the aftermath of quarantines and lockdowns, we are seeing a high number of DUI arrests and accidents in Florida. Last month, ABC Action News reported that Clearwater Police arrested three people on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. In one wrong-way crash, the driver and passenger switched places, although both were impaired.
How An Attorney Can Help Following a Suspected DUI Accident
Although drivers may face criminal charges for DUI charges, the criminal case against a driver does nothing to compensate victims’ families for their loss. A personal injury or wrongful death is a separate civil action against the driver and their insurance company.
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident caused by a suspected DUI driver, do not delay in contacting an experienced and knowledgeable Florida personal injury lawyer. You may have the right to seek compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. At the Coleman Law Group, we offer a free consultation to answer your questions and explain your legal options. To speak to a lawyer about your potential case, call us at (877) 822-9292. Your initial consultation is free and under our contingency fee agreement, we are only paid if we recover money for you.
