[05-20-26] DUI Driver Caused Pasco County Hit-And-Run That Killed 1, Seriously Injured 2 Others

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Spring Hill man was charged with more than a dozen offenses, including DUI manslaughter, after the Florida Highway Patrol said he left the scene of a fatal crash.

The crash happened Monday at around 9:30 a.m. along US-19, just north of Little Road.

FHP said a Toyota Camry, driven by Gregorio Santoni-Reyes, 68, was traveling recklessly in the northbound lanes before it struck the rear portion of a Mazda four-door. The Camry then hit a Ford Bronco, propelling it over the grass median and into the southbound lanes. The Bronco collided head-on with a Hyundai SUV, killing the SUV’s driver.

The occupants of the Bronco were taken to HCA Bayonet Point hospital with serious injuries. The hospital told troopers that the passenger was paralyzed from the waist down and the driver broke both of his legs.

A witness said Reyes stopped and activated his hazard lights for around two minutes before leaving the area, according to FHP.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office found Reyes’ car at a Walgreens on Cortez Boulevard, which was 14 miles from the site of the crash, just before 10 a.m. A photo provided by FHP showed the Camry with heavy damage and its side airbags deployed.

Deputies said the car was taking up two parking spaces, with Reyes sitting in the driver’s seat and hanging his feet out of the window. FHP said he smelled like alcohol and showed multiple signs of impairment.

“When shown the damage to the vehicle, (Reyes) appeared surprised, as though he was unaware that a crash had occurred,” the FHP arrest report said.

Troopers said that Reyes responded with a thumbs up when read his Miranda rights. He refused to provide a statement and asked for a lawyer.

Reyes was transferred to the hospital, where he was combative and had to be medicated and restrained on the bed. He was accused of threatening to kill an FHP trooper.

Hospital staff determined Reyes’ blood alcohol level was 0.177, more than twice the legal limit. He was arrested at 2:35 p.m. and taken to the Pasco County Jail, where he was charged with the following offenses:

Hit & run involving death

Hit & run involving serious bodily injury

Hit & run involving serious bodily injury

Hit & run property damage

Hit & run property damage

Hit & run property damage

DUI property damage

DUI property damage

DUI property damage

DUI with serious bodily injury

DUI with serious bodily injury

DUI manslaughter

Obstructing without violence

Threat of death against LEO

Source : WFLA 

(Credit : NBC News)

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CAR ACCIDENT STATISTICS

Car accidents happen all too often in the United States. According to the U.S. Transportation Department, the number of traffic deaths nationwide surged in the first nine months of 2021 to 31,720. The number was 12 percent higher than the same period in 2020 and the highest nine-month figure since 2006.

The bustling cities of Florida are a hotbed for possible car accidents. Highways such as the I-4, US-1, and I-10, are some of the deadliest roadways in Florida and unfortunately provide many opportunities for potentially serious car accidents.

Following the nationwide trend, Florida car accidents have also been on the rise. According to the Florida Highway Patrol and Motor Vehicles database, statewide fatalities from crashes were up nearly 10 percent from 3,332 fatalities in 2020 to 3,629 in 2021. It was also ranked third most dangerous state to drive in, according to a report by Uplift Legal Funding.

There are many different types of car accidents, but multi-vehicle accidents are one of them. When two or more cars come together, accidents like this happen all the time. You have a good chance that three vehicles will be hit when two vehicles hit each other.

A variety of factors caused these collisions. Distracted driving, speeding, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, driving in bad weather, driving the wrong way, and failing to obey traffic laws are examples of dangerous behaviors.

FLORIDA CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR VICTIMS OF MULTI-VEHICLE COLLISIONS

Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid and Douglas specializes in car accidents which unfortunately may lead to death. Family members have the right to receive damages for wrongful death, medical bills, and other expenses.

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Families might need to make sacrifices to pay for these expensive yet necessary medical care treatments. If you or a loved one has been involved in a fatal car accident, contact us now.

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