A serious single-vehicle crash has claimed the life of one individual and sent four more to local hospitals, according to local law enforcement. Florida Highway Patrol responded to the rollover car accident in the afternoon of May 21. The driver has not been charged with a crime at this time, but authorities have indicated their investigation is still underway.
According to eyewitness accounts, it appears the 47-year-old driver somehow lost control of her SUV while traveling northbound on the Florida Turnpike. The vehicle apparently flipped, ejecting three of the five individuals in the car. None of those individuals were wearing seat belts, forensics has discovered. One of the three, a 72-year-old, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other two ejected passengers suffered severe injuries and were rushed to local hospitals in critical condition. The driver and passenger wearing seat belts suffered minor and serious injuries respectively. So far police have not been able to answer the question of why the driver lost control. They have not ruled out reckless driving or negligence as possible contributors to the crash.
If the outcome of the Florida police investigation reveals that the driver was somehow responsible for the rollover car accident, depending on the nature of her error she could face criminal charges in connection with the resulting fatality and injuries. Regardless, the injured parties and the family of the deceased passenger may also wish to pursue civil lawsuits for personal injury and wrongful death, respectively. These suits would utilize any evidence of negligence uncovered by the police investigation to facilitate claim for a payout for financial damages incurred.
Source: cbs12.com, “Rollover crash with ejections on Turnpike in Palm City MM133”, Chuck Weber, May 21, 2015