Polk County, FL Sargeant, Bob Barnes was seriously injured this Tuesday while stopping a suspected hit-and-run driver on Lake Hatchineha Road near Lake Hamilton, FL.
According to an article in the Lakeland Ledger, Monica Casanova, 24, was the suspected driver of a hit-and-run incident that had been reported. Three off-duty officers were notified of the incident and alerted that Casanova could be traveling near the area. One deputy spotted Casanova's vehicle with front-end vehicle damage in the westbound lane on Lake Hatchineha Road.
At that time, Sgt. Bob Barnes attempted to block Casanova's path by parking his vehicle at the intersection of S.R. 17. Sgt. Barnes then drew his gun, approached Casanova and ordered her to get out of the vehicle but she was unresponsive. As Sgt. Barnes proceeded to reach into the vehicle to remove Casanova, she hit the gas pedal. Casanova proceeded to drive and struck Barnes' patrol car before striking a group of trees.
Casanova told investigators she had consumed a bag of cocaine and four large vodka drinks. She sustained injuries and was taken to Lake Wales Medical Center for minor injuries. Sgt. Barnes was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he remains in stable condition.
Casanova is charged with aggravated battery on an officer, resisting an officer with violence, two counts of leaving an accident scene with damage, reckless driving, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A 2000 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an impaired driver for every 110 miles driven in Florida. That year, Florida police records revealed 23,578 car crashes involving a driver or pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or more.
A more recent study, performed by the NHTSA in 2007, states that drivers are considered to be impaired if their BAC is .08 g/dL or higher. An alcohol impaired-driving fatality is defined as any fatality involving a driver with a minimum .08 BAC.
We all know drinking and driving don't mix. Impaired driving puts lives at risk. The defendant in this story now faces criminal charges for intentional acts, which may not have occurred but for her consumption of drugs and alcohol. In my practice as an injury lawyer in Polk County, Florida, I represent victims of automobile accidents. If the at fault party is convicted of DUI, the injured party may be entitled to punitive damages.
