An 80-year-old man from Sarasota was listed in serious condition after an accident July 30. The driver who allegedly caused the accident was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The elderly man had just made a right turn in his 2005 Dodge Caravan onto the westbound lanes of State Road 72 from Sawyer Road at approximately 4:45 p.m. He had a green light, giving him the right-of-way. When he switched from the right lane to the center lane after making the turn, a Nissan Sienna heading west and being driven by a 23-year-old Sarasota man failed to stop at the red light, barreling through the intersection at a very high rate of speed. The man saw the Nissan and attempted to avoid it, but did not have enough time to do so.
Both drivers were reportedly transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to be treated for their injuries. The 23-year-old’s injuries were classified as minor, while the 80-year-old’s were serious. The driver of the Sienna was later arrested on charges of DUI causing serious bodily injury and cited for violation of a traffic control device.
Accidents caused by intoxicated drivers
In this particular case, the driver of the Sienna would likely have been liable in the accident whether he was intoxicated or not, as there was clear evidence of him driving through a red light. The addition of the drunk driving charges, however, would likely bolster any personal injury claims against the at-fault driver. Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is incredibly dangerous and risks the lives of everyone else on the road.
If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident, consult a knowledgeable Bradenton attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.