According to the Lakeland Ledger, Robert M. Herring II, 46, of Lakeland, FL, was driving nine children, all under the age of 13, in a bus on July 22, 2009. They were traveling from the YMCA to church when Christian Alberto Chanax, 18, of Lakeland, FL, struck the left the side of the bus. The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. while Herring was turning left to exit the YMCA parking lot.
According to witness statements and the accident report, it is highly possible that Chanax, who was driving a 1992 Mercedes owned by Yohandra Caridad Rodriguez, was racing with the driver of an unidentified black firebird vehicle.
The firebird could not be identified by the Lakeland police. Jesse Poissant, the only passenger in the Mercedes, denied that they were racing.
According to the police, Chanax stated he was driving west on Sleepy Hill Road in Lakeland, FL in the outside lane, traveling approximately 50 mph when he noticed the bus on the road.
However, the skid marks contradict Chanax's statement. Based on the analysis of the scene, when Chanax began to brake, his speed was "well over 60 mph." The posted speed limit was 40 mph.
Police said skidmarks from the Mercedes measured 177 feet in length after using a certified laser measurement device.
One witness reported that Chanax was in the outside lane and the firebird was in the inside lane and both were driving side-by-side.
Chanax said to avoid crashing he tried to move over, but the firebird sped up and blocked him from changing lanes.
Chanax, Poissant, Herring and two bus passengers were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL with non life-threatening injuries.
According to a Victory Church employee, those who were on the bus are doing fine. The kids attend the church's Victory Christian School and are taken to the YMCA to swim every Wednesday.
Chanax was cited for not having a valid driver license and for reckless driving.
As an attorney practicing in Polk County, Florida, I represent injured victims of automobile accidents. This incident is an example of how crash investigations can reveal how the accident truly occurred. By measuring tire marks, photographing the accident scene and interviewing witnesses, investigators can determine who was at fault for the collision. The parties involved in may provide conflicting statements, thus making an in depth investigation necessary.
Thus, if you've been injured in an automobile accident, it is critical to seek legal representation. Injury attorneys often hire experts to conduct an independent investigation and provide expert testimony in the event of trial.
