The Florida Highway Patrol arrested a 21-year-old man from Hardee County on drunk driving charges after he allegedly caused an accident on State Road 64. The accident, which occurred near Myakka City, resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man from Bradenton.
According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, the Bradenton man was driving west on State Road 64 at about 11:10 p.m. Monday, October 29, in his 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup, past where the highway intersects with Verna Bethany Road. At the same time, the 21-year-old alleged drunk driver was traveling east in a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer.
The driver lost control of his Lancer and moved into the westbound lanes, crashing the front left of his car into the front left of the pickup truck. The force of the impact caused the pickup to spin out, ejecting the driver. The vehicle then flipped over and on top of him, killing him in the process.
The 21-year-old was charged with DUI manslaughter, driving under the influence causing property damage, failing to drive within a single lane and possession of a controlled substance.
No barriers to proving liability in DUI cases
Proving liability in an auto accident or wrongful death case becomes somewhat less complicated when the driver who allegedly caused the accident that led to the injury or death was charged with and found guilty of driving under the influence. A driver who is intoxicated behind the wheel is considered automatically liable for any crashes that result from his or her behavior.
For more information on how to proceed in a personal injury claim involving a drunk driver, meet with an experienced Bradenton attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.