Palm Coast Man Killed in Three-Car Crash on I-95
A Palm coast man died early Friday, December 3, when he tried to change lanes on Interstate 95 in his 2006 Ford Focus and hit a car in the center lane which then resulted in a three-car collision near Ormond Beach, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The 24-year-old driver was heading northbound in the right lane near State Road 5 when he hit the right front of a 2007 Volvo truck that was traveling in the center lane. The Ford Focus driver then stopped in the middle lane while the Volvo driver steered to the emergency lane all while a third vehicle, a 2006 Dodge pickup that had been in the inside lane, moved to the center lane to avoid the Volvo but hit the Ford Focus. The pickup truck driver suffered minor injuries and the Ford driver died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. There will be a drug/ alcohol test done to determine why the man suddenly changed lanes.
Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of this young man.
According to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 235,778 traffic crashes in Florida in 2009, or 646 crashes a day, which resulted in 2,563 fatalities.
Of those fatalities, 1,004 were determined to be alcohol-related.
We have no idea whether alcohol played any part in this 5:45 a.m. crash or whether the driver was distracted, under the influence of medication, or was driving a defective car. Besides blood and alcohol tests, a check into cell phone records could determine if he was on the phone and distracted. An investigation into the car should be conducted. Did the vehicle suddenly drift into another lane because of a defective tire or other vehicle flaw?
An experienced Florida accident attorney would want to conduct an investigation to answer these questions to determine if there is an at-fault party that may be held responsible for the loss of this life.
