Most Suspected Drunk Drivers in Northeast Florida Never Serve Jail Time
Channel 47 has completed an investigation into how few people in Northeast Florida spend any time in jail after they are involved in a driving while intoxicated (DUI) accident where there are injuries. Case in point — Nancy Crocker of St. Johns County who was struck by an SUV in her own backyard in August of 2007. The driver, a 16-year-old girl, had a blood alcohol level 11 times over the legal limit for juveniles. Crocker is still in pain from the injuries to her skull, legs, and arms and has medical bills she cannot pay. Meanwhile that 16-year-old was never charged with DUI and never went to jail. According to police reports, by the time officers arrived, the teen was not sitting in her car but was in the yard. No witnesses could put her behind the wheel of the car at the time of the crash.
According to the television station report, Duval County had 3,568 drunken driving arrests in 2009, with just over half, 58 percent, serving any jail time. In St. Johns County, just 18 percent of those arrested for DUI spent any time in jail, and in Clay County, 32 percent of 582 DUI arrests spent any time in jail.
Crocker says there have been no apologies, there has been no justice and the only punishment the girl suffered was losing her license for six months.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, this story illustrates why it is so important to conduct an investigation immediately after the accident to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. There are many questions that need to be asked and answered in order to determine the at-fault party who could be liable for compensating an auto accident or DUI crash victim for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Florida car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah will always offer you a complimentary consultation on your case. All you have to do is place the call at 1-800-533-3555 and our experienced attorneys can discuss your options.
