A man who allegedly cut off a police cruiser and caused an accident has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) resulting in property damage.
According to multiple news outlets, Ocala police officer Daniel Collier was driving to a call for service in the early hours of Saturday, November 18, when a car driven by a 30-year-old Florida man cut in front of him. The officer’s vehicle struck the business sign of a gas station and a pump. He suffered a head wound in the crash.
Another officer arrived at the scene and arrested the at-fault driver. A breath test determined the man had a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .234 percent — nearly three times the legal limit. The man initially refused to submit a Breathalyzer test or answer any questions from officers.
DUI offenders could face criminal and civil penalties
Anyone convicted of drunk driving faces a variety of consequences that depend on the severity of the offense. Potential penalties include fines, license suspension and/or jail time. This would be in addition to any civil action if any injured parties decide to file a personal injury claim against the offender.
Victims may seek compensation from negligent drivers whose actions caused their injuries. A person who has already been found guilty of drunk driving is typically considered “automatically liable” when it comes to civil cases. In this way, the outcome of a criminal case could affect a personal injury claim.
To learn more about your legal options after a Florida drunk driving accident, consult a trusted Bradenton attorney with Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.