DUI Car Accidents

January 3, 2025

News: Impairment suspected in deadly wrong-way crash in Brooksville

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BROOKSVILLE, FL – A crash in Brooksville involving a wrong-way driver left one person dead and several others injured, according to a report by WTVT.

The wreck happened Wednesday morning on US-41 north of Sergeant Lea Mills Boulevard. The Florida Highway Patrol said its investigation showed that the driver of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was going south in the northbound lane of US-41 at 1:21 a.m. and collided head-on with a Dodge Ram.

A 44-year-old Brooksville man who was a passenger in the Ram was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ram, a 17-year-old girl, and two other passengers, a 45-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy, were taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

October 4, 2024

News: Man facing DUI charges for fatal accident in The Villages

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

THE VILLAGES, FL – Authorities said an alleged drunk driver is now facing charges over a fatal 2023 accident in The Villages, according to the Ocala StarBanner.

56-year-old Gerald Antonio Palomba was arrested for the incident that happened in the area of County Road 42 and Belle Meade Circle. He has been charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Palomba was riding a motorcycle east on County Road 42 when he went through a red light at the intersection. The driver of a northbound Chevy van, who had been stopped at the light, was proceeding forward with a green light when it was struck by the motorcycle.

June 17, 2024

News: Woman charged with DUI manslaughter in fatal Ocala car wreck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – Police announced the arrest of an alleged drunk driver in connection with a fatal wreck that occurred in Ocala on Wednesday night.

WKMG reports the suspect was identified as 44-year-old Tiara Kirkland. Ocala police said she was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Spark heading south on North Pine Avenue at about 7:45 p.m.

Investigators learned that Kirkland turned into the path of a Toyota Scion and a Honda Civic which were both traveling north.

June 13, 2024

News: 17-year-old facing charges for crash that killed Ocala couple

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – Police said a teenager has been arrested on charges stemming from a fatal car accident in Ocala that occurred on Feb. 20.

In a news release, the Ocala Police Department said the 17-year-old suspect has been charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in connection with the accident near the 1500 block of SE 36th Avenue.

Investigators said the teen driver was driving a Mercedes SUV at over 120 miles per hour moments before the wreck with no evidence of braking. The Mercedes crashed into the back of a Mazda, causing it to strike a concrete utility pole. The Mazda returned to the roadway, overturned and caught fire.

June 7, 2024

News: Driver arrested on DUI charges after fatal crash on State Road 52

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – One of the drivers involved in a fatal collision in Pasco County on Sunday night is facing charges, according to Pasco News Online.

Two vehicles and a motorcycle were involved in the crash, which occurred on State Road 52 near Pine Forest Drive.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation determined that a Chrysler PT Cruiser was stopped in the travel lane of SR-52 after an accident with a Hyundai sedan. A man riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound in the center lane crashed into the PT Cruiser. The bike then went airborne into the inside lane and was hit by a Volkswagen Passat.

May 15, 2024

Man Charged in Marion County Farm Worker Bus Crash that Killed 8 People Being Held Without Bond | Florida DUI Wrongful Death Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 41-year-old man from Marion County made an appearance in court on Wednesday to answer to charges related to the deaths of eight farm laborers who died in a bus accident on State Road 40 on Tuesday.

The man was charged with eight counts of DUI manslaughter after a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck he was reportedly driving crashed with a 2010 International bus carrying 53 migrant workers to a nearby farm shortly after 6:30 a.m.

According to the arrest report, the Ford pickup truck was headed east on State Road 40 while the bus was heading west.

May 15, 2024

News: Driver arrested on DUI charge in fatal Hernando County accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – Authorities announced an arrest in connection with a deadly collision in Hernando County in November 2023, Pasco News Online reports.

48-year-old Kristie Lynn Paxton of Hudson is charged with DUI manslaughter for the crash that occurred on Mariner Boulevard near Case Grande Circle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Paxton was driving a 2005 Nissan Armada when she lost control of the vehicle. The Nissan collided with a 2019 Toyota Tacoma, causing Paxton and her passenger to be ejected.

February 7, 2024

News: Alleged drunk driver charged in fatal Citrus County accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a crash involving an alleged drunk driver left one person dead and another injured.

A report by WFLA states that the accident happened Sunday afternoon in Citrus County near the border with Marion County.

The FHP’s investigation determined that the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was passing cars on the shoulder of North Carl G. Rose Parkway and then merged back into traffic, where the vehicle rear-ended a Honda Accord near East Spruce Drive. The impact sent the Honda across the roadway, causing it to hit a bridge rail at the Withlacoochee River and strike a second Ford F-150 pickup truck going north.

January 3, 2024

News: Man arrested on DWI charge after crash kills motorcyclist in Citrus County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – Authorities said a motorcyclist was killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver in Citrus County on Sunday, WTVT reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident occurred in Floral City on Old Floral City Road near Evergreen Loop. According to the FHP, the driver of a Dodge Caravan was headed south at about 4:38 p.m. when he crossed over the center line and struck a northbound Suzuki motorcycle.

The operator of the motorcycle, a 45-year-old man from Inverness, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Dodge driver, identified as 27-year-old Tristen Alexander Melichar, was allegedly impaired at the time of the accident. He was arrested on a charge of DUI manslaughter and was taken to the Citrus County Jail. Melichar was not injured in the crash.

December 7, 2023

News: Crash at Port Richey intersection seriously injures driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PORT RICHEY, FL – Police in Port Richey said a driver who may have been impaired was injured in a car wreck last week.

In a Facebook post, police said officers were called to the scene Dec. 1 at the intersection of US 19 and Grand Boulevard at about 1 a.m.

A preliminary investigation indicated a 24-year-old man was driving south on US 19 at high speed and lost control while trying to pass vehicles that had stopped at a red light. The vehicle struck a curb near a gas station and crashed into a concrete pole, causing the vehicle to spin and roll over.