South Florida Injury Attorney Blog

Last week, I wrote a bit about Cape Coral police officer Damien Garcia, who was hospitalized in critical condition after a woman turned left in front of him, causing a serious Florida motorcycle accident. I’m sorry to say that the department’s troubles were increased Sunday when another on-duty officer was hit by a left-turner, according to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze. Fortunately, Officer Robert Reese sustained only minor injuries in the accident with driver Jessica Feliciano, 29.

The newspaper reported that Feliciano attempted to make a left turn from Country Club Blvd. onto SE 10th street, into Reese’s path. The patrol car hit a fire hydrant, power pole and cable box, but Reese was not seriously injured. Nor was Feliciano. However, the newspaper said Feliciano’s passenger, 40-year-old Esther Roldan, suffered serious injuries. Feliciano was apparently driving under the influence at the time. The Florida Highway Patrol said she was charged with DUI, DUI with property damage, DUI with personal injury and driving on a suspended license.

I’m glad that this police department isn’t facing another catastrophic injury to one of its officers. However, as a Broward County car crash attorney, I hope they can use this latest experience to remind Lee County residents how dangerous drinking and driving can be. Licenses can be suspended for any number of reasons in Florida -- not just a past DUI -- but the suspended license suggests that Feliciano has had some trouble with traffic law before. With the DUI and suspended license charges pending against her, she could face jail or even prison time. She could also face a South Florida auto accident lawsuit -- if not from Reese, then from Roldan, her passenger.

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt by a drunk driver, you have the right to hold that person legally responsible for your injuries. That’s true regardless of whether you were in another vehicle or a passenger who mistakenly trusted the intoxicated driver. Our law firm, Cohn, Smith & Cohn, can help. For more than 25 years, our Aventura car wreck lawyers have helped Floridians recover compensation after serious accidents, including compensation for deaths, permanent disabilities and serious injuries as well as payment of medical bills and other costs. To learn more about how we can help, please contact us online or call us at (954) 431-8100 today for a free consultation.