Over a two-hour time span on Sunday, December 7, a series of multiple crashes left one dead and multiple injured. Around 7:42 that night, Brittany Alyssa Anello, 24, who had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .177, more than twice the legal limit, crashed into two vehicles at first and then another further down the street as she was driving the wrong way on U.S. 19. The crash occurred north of Pappas Road, south of where Alt. 19 meets U.S. 19. A passenger of one of the vehicles was transferred to the hospital.
Shortly after the crash occurred, a tow truck driver responded to the scene in order to remove the cars involved in the crash. At this time, a motorcyclist was driving northbound on U.S. 19 when he lost control of his bike and was ultimately ejected. The wife of the tow truck driver, who was also on scene responding to the wrong way crash, saw the motorcyclist crash and walked across U.S. 19 in order to help him. As she was crossing the street, she was hit by a vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. The driver of the motorcycle was airlifted to the hospital to be treated for injuries he suffered due to the crash.
The Dangers of Drinking and Driving
By now, virtually all of us know and understand the dangers of drinking and driving. Unfortunately, however, many still choose to imbibe alcohol and get behind the wheel. By choosing to drink and drive, a driver is, in fact, putting him or herself and others at extreme risk. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD), it is estimated that 32% of fatal car crashes involve an intoxicated driver or pedestrian. In fact, the majority of drinking and driving crashes were caused by a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .10%, with the national legal limit being .08%. When a person consumes alcohol, the alcohol will affect a person’s attentiveness and their ability to make quick decisions on the road, react to changes in the environment around you, and execute difficult maneuvers behind the wheel.
A Drunk Driving Accident Can Change a Person’s Life Forever
Sadly, drunk driving accidents can have devastating consequences, for both the driver and others in the nearby area. Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists may suffer catastrophic injuries, resulting in extremely costly medical bills and time spent in recovery. In other cases, a drunk driving accident may result in loss of life.
For the injured or the family of the deceased, the law provides a channel through which compensation can be attained. An individual injured in a drunk driving accident may file an accident claim or personal injury suit to recover damages; similarly, the survivors of someone killed may pursue a wrongful death claim to acquire payment for loss of support, loss of consortium, and other factors.
Don’t Be a Victim of a Drunk Driver
Have you or someone you know been injured by a drunk driver? You may be able to obtain compensation for the injuries you have sustained, or payment to help you recover after the loss of a loved one. Contact the attorneys at Reed & Reed today to learn how we can help. From our office in Brandon, we help clients in Tampa, New Tampa, Plant City, throughout east Hillsborough County and the state of Florida. Contact Reed & Reed for a free consultation.