Man Arrested for Fatal Motorcycle Accident: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 30-year-old man on Wednesday, who was suspected as a driver in a suspected DUI accident that killed a motorcycle more than two months ago.
The February 3 suspected DUI accident occurred on February 3, 2021, in the parking lot of The Preserve at Mobbly Bay Apartments on the 8000 block of Solano Bay Loop in Tampa. According to police reports, the suspected DUI driver was traveling westbound on Solana Bay Loop in a 2016 Dodge Ram, when he turned in front of a motorcycle going eastbound. The motorcyclist was caught underneath the truck, which continued travelling until a witness bystander caught the attention of the driver to stop.
Man Arrested for Fatal Motorcycle Accident
Driving Under the Influence is Against the Law
The motorcyclist was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa where he tragically passed away. Tampa CBS Local reported that law enforcement observed impairment and conducted a field sobriety test. A blood alcohol concentration test revealed the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.149%. Florida Vehicle Code makes it illegal for drivers to drive with a BAC of .08% or higher.
Drunk Driving Accidents Are Preventable
Our thoughts go out to the family of the victim of this February 3 crash. The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one is painful and devastating. It is especially traumatic when accidents are completely preventable. Even with rideshare services like Lyft and Uber, drunk driving accidents in Florida continue to be a huge problem. In 2018 in Florida, there were 814 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities reported – more than 2 fatal accidents per day. For more resources about drunk driving and DUI accidents, visit responsibility.org or MADD.org.
Cause of the February 3rd Tampa Motorcycle Crash
In their press release, the Hillsborough County Sheriff said “We lost a member of our community due to one man’s recklessness and disregard for the lives around him.” It is likely that this fatal motorcycle accident could have been prevented if the driver was not under the influence of alcohol.
Although DUI accidents come with grave legal consequences, criminal charges against a driver do nothing to compensate a victim or their family for injuries or a devastating wrongful death. A civil wrongful death claim is a separate legal action, which seeks financial damages from a negligent driver, typically through their insurance company. After any accident leading to serious injury or death, victims’ families are well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable DUI victim lawyer as soon as possible.
Speak to the Coleman Law Group About Your Potential Case
Accident victims and their families should never accept compensation for a drunk driving accident without speaking to an attorney. The Coleman Law Group offers a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and explain your options following an accident. Contact us today to schedule a phone or video consultation with a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer. Your initial consultation is always free, and we are only paid for our services if we recover money for you. Call us at (877) 822-9292. Our team is available seven days a week to take your call.
