Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

July 22, 2024

News: Person on mobility scooter fatally struck by vehicle in New Port Richey

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – Police said a scooter rider died after being hit by a vehicle in New Port Richey, Pasco News Online reports.

The incident occurred July 12 in the vicinity of US Highway 19 and Gulf Drive shortly after 10 p.m. Investigators believe a person on a mobility scooter was crossing the intersection within the designated crosswalk and was hit by a vehicle headed south.

The victim, whose identity was not released, died after being taken to Bayonet Hospital. Police said the driver involved stayed at the scene and was cooperating with investigators. There was no evidence that impairment was a contributing factor.

July 19, 2024

News: Lakeland man, 70, dies in crash involving motorcycle in Sumter County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMTER COUNTY, FL – A motorcyclist was killed in a crash involving two other vehicles in Sumter County on Sunday morning, WKMG reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene at the intersection of State Road 471 and State Road 50 after being notified of the incident at about 9 a.m.

The FHP’s investigation found that the driver of a Ford Expedition going west on State Road 50 went through a red light and collided with the side of a northbound Kenworth tractor-trailer. Both vehicles were redirected into the southbound lanes of State Road 471, and the tractor-trailer hit a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was headed south in a left turn lane.

July 18, 2024

Girl Ejected From Ride at Indiana County Fair | Florida Amusement Park Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

All rides have been removed from the Indiana County Fair after a girl was thrown from a ride Monday night and was injured.

This prompted an investigation from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, which found the “Rock and Roll” ride the girl was thrown from had numerous violations.

Two of the rider carriages on the “Rock and Roll” were “deemed unusable” because of safety issues when the ride was last inspected on June 11, according to IDHS.

July 18, 2024

News: Pickup truck driver dead after crashing into ditch in Newberry

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEWBERRY, FL – State troopers said a driver died when his pickup truck was involved in a wreck in Alachua County on Monday.

According to details reported by the Alachua Chronicle, the incident took place on Newberry Road near SW 218th Street in Newberry at about 5 p.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 70-year-old man from Bell was driving west when his pickup entered the center grass median, then crossed the eastbound lanes of Newberry Road and crashed into a ditch on the south shoulder of the road. The vehicle then collided with a wooden fence in an open field.

July 17, 2024

Child Hot Car Deaths Rising this Summer Across U.S. | Florida Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The total number of child hot car deaths in 2024 has reached 11 as of today, July 17.

In the latest child tragedy, a 2-month-old girl died after being left inside a hot car in New Jersey on Monday.

According to Kids and Car Safety, there are 3 additional child deaths that are likely linked to being left inside a hot car that are pending autopsy results.

July 17, 2024

News: Woman using walker on Old Dixie Highway struck by hit-and-run driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HUDSON, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver who struck a pedestrian in Pasco County Friday night, reports Fox 13.

The FHP said a woman using a walker was on Old Dixie Highway near Hudson Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. when she was hit by a vehicle heading southbound. The victim, a 67-year-old Hudson resident, was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

The driver left the scene of the crash in a vehicle believed to be a 2010-2011 Mazda. Anyone with further information regarding the hit-and-run was asked to contact the FHP or Crime Stoppers.

July 16, 2024

News: Elderly man and woman from Gainesville killed in collision with semi-truck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Two people died after their minivan collided with a semi in Alachua County on Friday afternoon, according to the Alachua Chronicle.

The Florida Highway Patrol and local rescue crews were called to the scene in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 301 and County Road 225 in Waldo at about 12:51 p.m.

The FHP’s investigation found that the driver of a minivan pulled out from County Road 225 into the southbound lanes of U.S. 301 and was struck by a semi heading south in the inside lane in a T-bone collision.

July 15, 2024

Nursing Home Employees Accused of Mocking Residents and Posting Lewd Photos and Videos on Social Media | Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Three employees at a nursing home in Oklahoma have been arrested on charges of making fun of elderly residents and sharing explicit images and videos of them, according to reports.

The three female workers, ages 20-21, are facing charges of elderly abuse.

The trio allegedly took sexually explicit photos videos of several residents and posted them on Snapchat. Police also allege that several pictures recovered appear to show the women mocking residents.

July 15, 2024

News: Driver, 19, dies after crashing into power pole in Citrus County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – A single-vehicle accident in Citrus County claimed the life of a 19-year-old man, WFTS reported.

The man, who was from New York, was driving a Nissan Altima on South Lecanto Highway Friday morning when the crash occurred at about 4 a.m.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the vehicle ran off the roadway and collided with a concrete power pole. The victim was pronounced dead after being transported to an area hospital.

July 12, 2024

News: Tractor-trailer accident causes fuel spill on State Road 326

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol and emergency crews were called to the scene of a truck accident in Marion County on Friday morning.

According to WKMG, the crash involved a tractor-trailer and took place on State Road 326 near Interstate 75 near Ocala shortly before 8:46 a.m.

It resulted in a spill of 150 gallons of fuel onto the roadway. A portion of State Road 326 was shut down while the wreck was being cleared and the spill cleaned up. There was no immediate word on whether anyone was injured.