A rash of local drunk driving incidents is another sad reminder of the danger that people put themselves and others in when they hit the road under the influence of alcohol.
A Village of St. Charles woman was arrested in October after ramming her car into a golf cart, Villages-News reports. The 67-year-old driver reportedly was attempting to park the vehicle near City Fire at Lake Sumter Landing at the time of the accident.
The woman “flashed the ‘peace sign’ before getting out of her vehicle, then stumbling and walking toward an outdoor service bar,” according to a police report. “She ordered a drink and walked away. She tried to purchase a drink at a different outdoor service bar, but was denied service.”
She reportedly called the police officer who arrived on the scene “an idiot” and refused to participate in field sobriety exercises. The woman also turned down a breathalyzer test.
Just a few weeks later, a Village of Rio Grande woman had her license suspended for a July crash near Costco at Buffalo Ridge Plaza. The 64-year-old driver reportedly was driving her car on the wrong side of the road before striking another vehicle and driving off. The police officer who tracked her down said the woman became "belligerent" and appeared to have been drinking. She provided breath samples that showed her blood alcohol content ranged as high as 0.121%, well over the legal limit.
The driver pleaded no contest to charges of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. Her license was suspended for six months, and she was placed on a one-year probation. The woman was also ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
The problem is not limited to people behind the wheel of cars.
A Village of Largo man recently had his license suspended after being busted for drinking and driving a golf cart, Villages-News reports. The 74-year-old man was pulled over by a police officer at the Save-A-Lot shopping center parking lot in Wildwood. Breath tests showed his BAC ranging up to 0.174%, more than double the legal limit.
Roughly 14,000 accidents involving alcohol and/or drugs occur across the state every year, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The crashes kill some 800 people each year.
How a Villages Injury Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, golf cart, or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Villages injury attorney Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people and families across the community for more than two decades.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent clients throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield, and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages injury attorney.
