OCALA, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a moped rider died following an accident in Marion County early Thursday morning.
According to WKMG, the incident took place on U.S. 441 south of SE 98 Lane. The FHP said a 19-year-old woman was riding her moped on a paved shoulder of southbound U.S. 441 when she entered a construction zone.
The woman lost control of the moped and it overturned. She was ejected into the right lane of U.S. 441, where she was struck by an SUV. The victim, an Ocala resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
LAKE COUNTY, FL – State troopers are investigating a fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck in Lake County on Sunday afternoon.
A report by WKMG states that the accident happened on County Road 44A near Bill Collins Road at about 1:30 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a man was driving a Ducati motorcycle behind a Chevrolet pickup truck with a trailer as both were going south on County Road 44A. The motorcycle rider tried to pass the Chevrolet in a no-passing zone as the pickup driver was making a left turn onto Bill Collins Road.
PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – A woman died after she was hit by a vehicle in Pinellas County on Saturday night, reports the Tampa Bay Times.
The accident happened as the 66-year-old victim was walking on Park Street North at the intersection with County Road 16 shortly before 6 p.m. The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman entered the path of a northbound sedan driven by a 65-year-old Nevada man and was struck.
The woman, a Pinellas Park resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.
On Monday, inspectors were visiting an amusement park in North Carolina to begin their investigation into a roller coaster that has been closed since Friday after a father noticed a split at the top of one of its steel support pillars.
The dad told CNN that while visiting the park with his family, he noticed an opening in the coaster’s framework and immediately realized something was amiss. He took out his phone, hit record, and zoomed in on the crack to capture the support pillar shifting slightly as the people sped by.
The dad told CNN that he reported the incident to the park’s guest services, but followed up with Charlotte fire, who then advised him that the ride was shut down, according to reports.
CITRUS COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a car and a golf cart were involved in a fatal collision in Citrus County.
A report by WTVT states the accident took place Friday afternoon on West Fenway Drive near Lake Marie Terrace.
The FHP said a Nissan Rogue and a golf cart were both heading south, with the cart traveling in the bicycle lane. The driver of the Nissan Rogue, a 48-year-old man, passed the golf cart and slowed down to make a turn onto North Lake Marie Terrace, investigators said.
DUNNELLON, FL – One person was killed and nine others injured in a multi-vehicle collision in Marion County on Saturday morning, WKMG reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol said three sport utility vehicles were involved in the crash that happened near the intersection of County Highwa7 484 and SW 170th east of Dunnellon.
According to the FHP, the driver of an SUV was headed west on County Highway 484 at about 10:30 a.m. and entered the eastbound lanes, colliding with another SUV. The impact caused the second vehicle to go off the road and into a ditch, where it overturned.
CLERMONT, FL – A search is underway for a driver who was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Lake County on Thursday afternoon.
WKMG reports the accident occurred on the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 276 in Clermont at about 4 p.m. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a northbound minivan had stopped for traffic and was rear-ended by a Honda. A Chevy and a Subaru behind the Honda could not stop in time and also were involved in the collision.
The driver of the minivan left the scene and is being sought, the FHP said. The vehicle involved was silver or gray and may have minimal damage in the rear.
Celebrating the Fourth of July is one of the best ways to welcome summer. This national holiday in the United States is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. There are numerous ways to have fun on the Fourth of July, including outdoor events like pool parties, backyard BBQs, and fireworks displays. If safety is not prioritized at these events, the holiday can also bring about catastrophe.
These Fourth of July safety recommendations from our personal injury attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you enjoy Independence Day safely.
The Most Dangerous US Holiday
Over the Fourth of July weekend, the National Safety Council (NSC) predicts that over 619 people will pass away on the road and over 70,600 will have nonfatal injuries for which they will seek medical attention. The Fourth of July is the deadliest holiday of the year in the United States, and it is not only because of traffic accidents. When everyone is in the mood to party with explosives and safety is put on the back burner, unintended injuries and mishaps can happen in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year is the one before the holiday. Accident risk is multiplied as a result of increased traffic and airport passenger flow. Add alcohol and/or drugs to this and you have a recipe for disaster.
Fireworks Safety: Know the Laws
On the Fourth of July, Roman candles, airborne fireworks, fountains, and other novelty firecrackers are allowed to be set off in Florida. On all other days of the year, all loud or projectile fireworks are strictly forbidden.
On July Fourth, careless use of pyrotechnics is the primary cause of most burn injuries. Over the holiday, improper grilling can also result in life-threatening burn injuries. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that from 2017 to 2021, there were 22,155 emergency room visits annually as a result of grill-related injuries.
Here are a few grill safety tips that can keep you and your guests safe this Fourth of July holiday:
Never leave a grill unattended. Always make sure an adult is watching any open flames—preferably someone who is sober.
Place the grill outside in a well-ventilated location at least 10 feet away from buildings, trees, or anything else that can easily catch fire.
Do not light coals that are already on fire with lighter fluid.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
If you or someone you love suffers a burn injury as a result of someone else’s careless behavior, make sure to you make getting medical care your number one priority and then contact our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton.
Pool Safety
A backyard pool party can increase the excitement of a Fourth of July party and keep everyone cool from the heat of the summer. However, if the necessary precautions to ensure safety are not taken, swimming pool mishaps can happen.
Make sure all younger swimmers are well watched while in the water, and forbid any rough play. When planning a pool party, consider the level of experience of each swimmer. Any games and pool gadgets that pose serious safety dangers should be banned. Additionally, make sure there are enough of life jackets and other flotation devices that are Coast Guard approved are available in case of emergency.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when having people over for a pool party:
Never allow someone to swim alone. It is always better to have another person nearby who can assist in case there is a drowning incident.
Never run near the pool. This is one of the most common reasons for slip and fall accidents.
Never dive. Most backyard swimming pools are not deep enough for safe head-first diving.
Stay alert. Pay attention to what is going on around you so you can help, if needed, or take the right precautions to prevent any injuries.
Have a CPR-trained adult present in the case of emergency.
Try to keep people away from the pool who are obviously drunk.
HAWKINS, FL – A man was sentenced in connection with a hit-and-run crash in the Villages last month, reports The Villages-News.
36-year-old Mark Regan of Pennsylvania was arrested on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident after the incident that occurred May 1 in the area of State Road 44 and Powell Road.
Police said Regan was driving a Mazda 3 when he struck the back of a trailer being towed by a truck at about 3 p.m.
OCALA, FL – Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of a rollover accident in Ocala on Tuesday afternoon.
In a Facebook post, the rescue squad said its units were dispatched to the 7200 block of NW 21st Street at about 4:45 p.m. A vehicle had come to rest on its roof at that location with the driver trapped inside.
Officials said Engine and Rescue 20 crews arrived on the scene within minutes and began working to extricate the driver from the wreckage. The driver was quickly freed and was declared a trauma alert, and was transported to an area hospital. No further details were released on the victim’s condition.
