20-Year-Old Man Injured in DUI-Related Crash in Brooksville

October 12, 2012

A 20-year-old man was airlifted to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point on Oct. 1 after he was critically injured while riding in the bed of a pickup truck that slammed into a tree in Brooksville.

The driver, another 20-year-old is suspected of DUI.

The Brooksville Police Department responded to the scene of the accident late Monday night after receiving reports of a Toyota Tacoma crashing into a tree on the corner of U.S. 41 and Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

When they arrived, the injured man was lying in the road. As of Oct. 3, the man was still listed in critical condition.

The driver of the pickup is under investigation.

He apparently told police that he had consumed alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel of his car that night and submitted to a blood test. Police are awaiting the results of the test.

Police believe the man lost control of his truck, hit a curb, crossed a median and rammed into a palm tree.

A 19-year-old passenger in the pickup was transported to Brooksville Regional Hospital for minor injuries.

The men were apparently served alcohol at a local Applebee’s. The bartender was charged with selling, giving or serving alcoholic beverages to a person younger than 21.

A fourth passenger, a 16-year-old boy, left the scene of the accident and walked to his brother’s house. He went to the police station Monday morning and told police he had been involved in the accident, but had not been drinking. He did not suffer any injuries.

Drinking and driving can cause tragic injuries and even wrongful death in Brooksville. While not every car accident can be avoided, accidents involving a drunk driver can seriously harm innocent individuals and devastate families. The degree of injuries suffered in these types of accidents can vary, but when an intoxicated person gets behind the wheel of a car, truck or SUV, the results can be tragic. If you or a loved one has been injured as a passenger in a drunk driving accident, the most important thing you can do to protect your rights to full recovery and compensation is to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss the legal options available to you.

Depending upon the specifics of the incident, a bar, restaurant or social host may be held liable for accidents caused by the people they serve or sell alcohol to. This area of Florida law is known as dram shop liability. Under Florida law, there are two situations when individuals or companies can be found responsible for injuries and damages:

• The person served was under the age of 21
• The server knew the intoxicated person was habitually addicted to alcohol

The Hernando County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton represent drunk driving accident victims in Brooksville, Spring Hill, Ridge Manor, Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach and Masaryktown. We also represent the family members of those killed by intoxicated drivers. As dram shop liability claims lawyers, we understand how to successfully handle these types of cases. We are fully aware of what to look for in regards to evidence and how to hold the liquor establishment accountable so that you can recover maximum compensation. Contact us today online or call 352-666-2121.