Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

April 2, 2024

News: Ocala man riding bicycle fatally struck by hit-and-run driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

DAVENPORT, FL – State troopers are searching for the driver responsible for the death of an Ocala man who was riding a bicycle last week, WKMG reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident, which took place March 26 on Davenport Boulevard near U.S. 27. The FHP said the bicyclist was riding toward Davenport at about 11:30 p.m. when he was overtaken and hit by a black Dodge Challenger heading eastbound.

The 27-year-old bicyclist died after being transported to an area hospital. Investigators said the Dodge driver left the scene of the crash.

April 1, 2024

News: Car and motorcycle involved in fatal collision in Zephyrhills

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL – A car and a motorcycle were involved in a deadly crash in Pasco County on Wednesday afternoon, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

According to a report by Pasco News Online, the incident took place in the vicinity of 23rd Street and 8th Avenue in Zephyrhills. The FHP’s investigation determined that the driver of a Chevy Equinox, a 77-year-old Zephyrhills man, was heading south shortly before 3:30 p.m. and turned into the path of a northbound motorcycle.

The motorcycle rider was taken to an area hospital following the collision and was pronounced dead. The victim was a 38-year-old man from Zephyrhills, state troopers said.

March 29, 2024

News: Bicyclist fatally struck by van on roadway in Umatilla

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

UMATILLA, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol released details of a fatal bicycle accident that took place in Umatilla early Wednesday morning, according to WKMG.

The FHP said a pedal cyclist was riding on SE 248th Terrace in Umatilla when the incident happened at about 6 a.m. The bicyclist was struck from behind by a vehicle near County Road 42.

The victim, a 28-year-old man from Umatilla, suffered fatal injuries. The driver of the vehicle, a 37-year-old man, was not injured in the incident.

March 28, 2024

News: Crystal River man, 81, dies in pickup truck accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CRYSTAL RIVER, FL – A collision in Citrus County early Wednesday morning claimed the life of an elderly driver and injured two other people, WTVT reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene on West Fort Island Trail near West Audobon Lane after the incident took place at about 12:20 a.m.

The FHP learned that the driver of a Chevy 3500 pickup truck was heading east and tried to pass a Kia Sportage SUV that was in front of him. The pickup truck struck the left side of the Kia, then went off the road, onto the shoulder, and crashed into two trees. The Kia also went off the road, hitting a cable box and a tree before flipping.

March 27, 2024

News: Spring Hill man, 30, killed when motorcycle collides with SUV

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – A motorcycle rider was killed in a collision with a vehicle in Hernando County on Sunday afternoon, WTVT reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol stated that an 81-year-old Hudson man was driving a Kia Soul north on Cobblestone Drive at about 1:12 p.m. when he tried to cross the eastbound lanes of Spring Hill Drive to turn left and head west.

The Kia entered the path of a Kawasaki motorcycle going east on Spring Hill Drive and was struck by the bike. The motorcyclist, a 30-year-old Spring Hill man, died after being taken to an area hospital.

March 26, 2024

News: 2 men dead after collision at Pasco County intersection

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A collision at an intersection in Pasco County killed two men in one of the vehicles, according to WFLA.

The Florida Highway Patrol said two vehicles crashed at State Road 54 and Virginia City Drive on Saturday afternoon just before 3 p.m.

The FHP learned that the driver of a Kia Sorento was speeding while traveling west on State Road 54 when the driver of a Lexus RX entered the intersection and turned into the path of the Kia.

March 25, 2024

News: Motorcyclist dies after crashing into parked car in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a motorcyclist died following a collision with a parked vehicle in Pasco County, according to a report by WFLA.

The crash took place March 16 on Evergreen Court near Cummer Road in the area of the Cypress Manor residential community near Dade City.

The FHP said a man was riding a Yamaha motorcycle southbound at about 11:52 a.m. when he lost control of the bike and collided with a Toyota RAV4. At the time the Toyota was not occupied and was parked near the residential community.

March 22, 2024

News: Driver killed when car hits his disabled van on Interstate 75

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – One person was killed and six others injured in a collision on Interstate 75 in Marion County Wednesday night, WKMG reports.

The incident took place along I-75 south about four miles north of State Road 326. The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation determined that a van had become disabled in the center lane of the interstate at about 10 p.m. as the result of a prior crash.

Another driver heading south on I-75 did not see the van in time and crashed into the back of it. The 71-year-old van driver died after being taken to an area hospital. His five passengers, three women and two men all in their 70s, were hospitalized with serious injuries. All occupants of the van were from Ocala.

March 21, 2024

Caretaker at Assisted Living Facility Charged with Killing Two Women | Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 40-year-old man has been accused of murdering two elderly women at an assisted living facility in California.

Two women, ages 83 and 75, were found dead when police responded to an emergency call at Happy Home Care on June 24. The women both lived at the facility.

The man accused of killing the women was employed as a live-in caretaker at the facility.

March 21, 2024

News: Woman, 73, killed in crash involving semi near State Road 19

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said an SUV and a semi-truck were involved in a fatal collision in Lake County on Tuesday morning.

The Leesburg News reports the accident occurred near the intersection of State Road 19 and O’Brien Road. According to the FHP, the driver of an eastbound semi approaching the intersection at about 7 a.m. turned into the path of a 2017 Toyota 4-Runner.

The Toyota hit the trailer being towed by the truck. The Toyota driver, a 73-year-old Howey-in-the-Hills woman, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital. The semi driver was a 43-year-old man from Palm Springs.