Police have arrested a Florida man who says he was the hit-and-run driver in the recent daycare accident that claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl. A total of 50 children were inside the Winter Park daycare facility when it was struck by an out-of-control SUV, which was driven by the man. Twelve children and one adult were injured in the collision. One of the children, a 4-year-old girl, was killed as a result of the car accident.
The 28-year-old man who was driving the sport utility vehicle fled from the scene of the incident. Authorities found his SUV abandoned only several hours following the crash and police issued a warrant for his arrest. While he was at large, a spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol said that the man had been arrested numerous times on drug allegations and he was believed to have gang ties.
Parents of the 4-year-old girl, who died from her injuries later at the hospital, are devastated. The girl’s mother said that she did not know how she would be capable of going about her daily life following the loss of her little girl. She said that her daughter deserved more than to have her life cut so short in this fashion.
The loss of life and injuries associated with this car accident are nothing short of tragic. It is laudable, however, that the hit-and-run driver finally reported to authorities to turn himself in. Without locating the at-fault driver in this accident, the injured victims (along with the parents of the young girl who died) would not have any way to pursue personal injury and/or wrongful death claims for restitution in this crash. Restitution for the the young girl’s parents may include money for end-of-life expenses related to funeral and memorial services for the girl and other types of damages. Additionally, the victims with nonfatal injuries may be able to pursue vital financial assistance to help pay for the medical care they require for a complete recovery.
Source: CNN, “Florida day care center crash: Suspect surrenders to authorities” Ed Payne, Steve Almasy and John Couwels, Apr. 11, 2014