Law enforcement officers have arrested a driver who allegedly caused a fatal accident in Manatee County more than a year after the crash happened. The 46-year-old Bradenton woman faces charges of driving while impaired (DWI) manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DWI causing serious bodily injury and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.
The accident occurred March 28, 2015. The woman was reportedly heading south on U.S. Highway 19 in the left lane. Meanwhile, a 51-year-old Pinellas Park woman in a 2001 Chevy Suburban (with three young passengers) was heading north on U.S. 19 in the left lane, north of Palm View Road. The Bradenton woman lost control of her vehicle and spun into the center grass median, then onto the north section of U.S. 19, striking the left side of the Suburban. The Suburban spun counterclockwise after the collision, finally resting in the outer right lane of the highway.
The woman driving the Suburban died in the accident and the three children were transported to All Children’s Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.
Drunk driving can have serious consequences
When individuals get behind the wheel of a vehicle after have too much to drink, they endanger both their own lives and the lives of the people with whom they share the road. A driver who is intoxicated has slowed reaction times and is less likely to be able to avoid an accident if certain hazards — such as slowing traffic patterns — present themselves.
In this particular case, it looks as though the driver in question will face significant criminal penalties. However, this would be in addition to any civil action she faces from the family members of the deceased woman, who may choose to seek damages through a wrongful death lawsuit.
For more information on the steps you may take if you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, contact a skilled Bradenton personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.