Driver Arrested For DUI After Crashing Into Bar In Orlando, FL
According to a report from Fox 35 Orlando, a Central Florida man has been arrested and charged with drunk driving after allegedly crashing into a bar in Orlando. As a consequence of the crash, four people were transported to a local hospital. While none of the injuries were life-threatening, a woman reportedly sustained a serious gash on her face that could result in permanent scarring. In this article, our Orlando DUI defense attorney explains what we know about the case and highlights key things to understand about drunk driving accident charges.
Intoxicated Driver Crashed Truck Into Orlando Bar, Several People Injured
The Orlando Police Department reports that Jackson Click was arrested after being identified as the driver who crashed his truck into the Hideaway Bar on Virginia Drive. The collision occurred a little before 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 18th. When the responding police officers arrived at the scene, they found Mr. Click’s truck partially inside of the bar. Several people were injured.
Mr. Click, 45, was arrested and taken into custody at the scene of the accident. According to the Orlando Police Department, he failed a field sobriety. Notably, police and prosecutors believe that Mr. Click was very highly intoxicated at the time of the crash. His breathalyzer results showed a .35 and a .34—more than four times the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Florida. He has been charged with DUI with serious bodily injury.
A DUI Crash Can Result in Felony Criminal Charges in Florida
While drunk driving is usually charged as a misdemeanor in Florida, a person can face a serious felony charge if they cause an accident. The charge of “DUI with serious bodily injury” is a third degree felony. It is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. To be charged with this crime, the prosecution must prove that the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and that as a result of their actions, another person sustained serious bodily injury.
In Florida, a serious bodily injury is a legal term. It means an injury that poses a significant risk of death, an injury that causes some form of serious or permanent disfigurement, or that causes the loss/impairment of a key bodily function. If the victim dies as a result of the crash, the charge may be upgraded to DUI manslaughter, which is a second degree felony with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Contact Our Orlando, FL DUI Defense Lawyer Today
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando DUI defense attorney fights aggressively to protect the rights of clients. A DUI charge is a serious matter—especially if an accident occurred. If you or your loved one was arrested for a felony DUI, we are more than ready to help. Contact our criminal defense team for a fully confidential consultation. Our firm provides DUI defense representation in Orlando, Orange County, and throughout the surrounding cities and towns in Central Florida.
Source:
fox35orlando.com/news/driver-arrested-for-dui-after-crashing-truck-into-hideaway-bar-injuring-4-court-records-show