A five-vehicle crash on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday left four people hospitalized, including the driver who is thought to have caused it, according to Lakeland, FL police.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, the crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the southbound lanes of U.S. 98, in Lakeland, FL just north of Carpenters Way, in Lakeland, FL.
That driver, Matthew Allen Lane, 33, of Lakeland, told witnesses at the scene he had been drinking and was on his way to buy more alcohol, police spokeswoman Sgt. Terri Smith stated.
A black Ford car driven by Lane veered from the far left lane of the road into the right lane where cars were stopped at a red light, police spokeswoman Sgt. Terri Smith stated.
The Ford struck a Chevrolet minivan, causing it to spin. Three female passengers were ejected, police said. The driver, whose name was not released, was not thrown from the minivan.
Police said the Ford then struck a Dodge Charger, causing it to strike a Honda Element, driven by Evelyn Winrow, 68, of Lakeland, FL. Winrow's Honda was forced into the rear of a Buick sports utility vehicle, driven by Donald Stein, 49.
Neither Winrow nor Stein was injured, police stated.
"It was really powerful," Winrow said of the impact. "I really didn't see anything though. I was just paying attention to see when the light changed."
But when Winrow stepped out of her Honda unscathed, she saw the women who had been thrown from the van and a man who had blood all over him, she said.
The identities of the other drivers and passengers involved, along with information on whether they were wearing seat belts, weren't provided by police Wednesday.
Lane was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, Fl and was listed in serious condition, police said.
The three women ejected from the van were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL with serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Police shut down southbound traffic on U.S. 98, in Lakeland, FL while officers investigated the crash and debris was cleared from the road.
Smith said officers are investigating whether Lane will face charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving.
"As the investigation proceeds, officers will determine what, if any, charges will be filed," Smith said.
Lane was convicted of driving under the influence last year and sentenced to one year of probation and his license was suspended for six months in April 2009, according to Polk County court records.
According to Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws, a person who is convicted a second time for DUI: receives not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000 fine. With BAL of .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $2,000, or more than $4,000 fine, and receive not more than 9 months imprisonment. With BAL of .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not more than 12 months of imprisonment. If second conviction is within 5 years, mandatory imprisonment of at least 10 days. At least 48 hours of confinement must be consecutive.
Generally, passengers who are injured in an accident caused by the driver may pursue a claim against the driver's insurance policy. However, there are certain policy exclusions that may serve as an exception to the rule. For example, if the driver happens to be an excluded driver under the policy, the carrier will not extend bodily injury coverage to the passengers. Furthermore, any passenger who is a "resident relative" of the insured cannot receive bodily injury coverage. Coverage is often a critical issue in an injury claim. A skilled personal injury attorney should be able to quickly identify these issues and advise their client accordingly.
