The family of a man who was killed in a crash caused by an intoxicated driver in 2021 is finally getting justice. The driver has been charged with second-degree murder and will face up to life in prison after deliberately hitting and killing the victim in Daytona Beach. The driver has also been found guilty of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a crash with death.
The victim was sitting by the southeast corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road on the night of March 21, 2021, when he was hit by a car. The driver had been drinking alcohol and doing drugs that day and was driving around town with a man and a woman.
The driver pulled into the Krispy Kreme at the corner of International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road. The passengers exited his vehicle, and the driver took off, driving in a circle at the intersection of Nova Road and International Speedway Boulevard. He then made a second circle and jumped out of the car. The vehicle continued down the crosswalk and collided with the victim. The car narrowly missed a second man.
The driver took the stand and testified that he had never met the victim and did not mean to hit him. He claimed he never saw the man sitting at the intersection. The driver is no stranger to the criminal justice system, as he has had 10 prior felonies.
A Daytona Beach Police officer noticed the erratic driving and arrived on the scene right after the crash. He chased after the driver, who took off running but stopped once he crossed the street.
In his closing argument, the assistant state attorney told jurors that the driver intentionally drove the car at the victim. The car’s headlights were pointing straight at the victim, so there was no way that the driver could not have seen him. The driver claimed to have vision problems, although his driver’s license did not require him to wear glasses for driving.
The driver’s defense attorney claimed that the crash was a tragic car accident and should not be considered murder. Instead, it was “horrible, stupid driving.” The attorney did admit that the driver had been using heroin and smoking crack earlier in the day.
The attorney also said the man liked to do stunts with vehicles. He thought himself a great race car driver or motorcycle stunt rider. The attorney later summarized the incident as a “tragic accident brought on by decades of drug use by a person who thinks he is Mario Andretti or Evel Knievel.”
How Does Drug Use Cause Car Accidents?
Drug use impairs mental and physical abilities and makes it difficult to drive safely. Here are the key ways in which drug use contributes to accidents:
- Impaired coordination and reaction time. Drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and opioids slow reaction times, making it harder to respond quickly to sudden events. Fine motor control can also be impaired, making it difficult to maintain control of a vehicle.
- Reduced focus and attention. Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine may cause erratic, overly aggressive driving behavior by inducing hyperactivity or overconfidence. Sedatives and depressants, such as heroin, can make a person drowsy or mentally foggy, reducing attention span.
- Distorted perception and judgment. Hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin can alter the user’s perception of reality, causing disorientation or hallucinations. This can make it difficult to recognize hazards while driving. Even marijuana can cause mild distortions in time perception and spatial awareness.
- Aggressive behavior. Some substances, especially stimulants, may cause emotional instability, irritability, or paranoia, leading to road rage or reckless driving. Anxiety or panic attacks caused by drug use can also result in erratic driving.
- Overconfidence. Some drugs give users a false sense of confidence, leading to risky behavior such as speeding and ignoring traffic rules. Drug users may underestimate the impact of the drug on their ability to drive or assume they are still in control.
- Drowsiness and fatigue. Opioids, alcohol, and sleep aids can induce drowsiness, increasing the risk of falling asleep at the wheel or losing control over equipment. Drugs that impair sleep quality, like stimulants, can lead to sleep deprivation, which slows reaction times.
Contact Us Today
Motorists need to drive safely. Drinking and drug use before getting behind the wheel can affect driving skills. Plus, acting crazy and doing stunts can increase the risk of a car accident.
Injured in a car crash? Contact the team at Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm. We will guide you through the process and help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation today by calling (954) 876-4344 or filling out the online form. We have offices in Weston, Coral Gables, and Daytona Beach.