A 25-year-old Lakeland, FL man died Sunday night after he reportedly ran a red light and his car was hit by an SUV on Kathleen Road, according to the Lakeland, FL Police Department.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, David Burney, of 34 Oleander Street, in Lakeland, FL was pronounced dead on the scene by Polk County Emergency Medical Services, Lakeland, FL Police Sgt. Terri Smith stated.
His 1986 Volvo was struck at 10:19 p.m. as he was turning left from 10th Street onto Kathleen Road, heading north, Smith said. His passenger, Elaine M. Young, 23, of Old Dade City Road, was ejected from the car and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL with non-life-threatening injuries.
Burney's left passenger door was hit by a 2006 Dodge Durango SUV driven southbound on Kathleen Road by Sharae Nicole Murphy, 26. Smith stated.
She and her three minor passengers were uninjured.
Witnesses at the scene told police that Burney ran the red light at the intersection.
No citations have been issued, Smith stated in a press release issued around 4:15 a.m. today.
An earlier version of this article made it unclear which driver was observed running a red light.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 260,000 vehicle incidents occur each year because of people running red lights. It's a growing problem for some simple reasons:
• People consciously try to beat the light to avoid waiting at the intersection.
• Multitasking behind the wheel takes people's eyes and concentration off the road, leaving them more vulnerable to accidentally running a red light.
It's enough of a problem that as many as 21 states and the District of Columbia allow cameras to be used to monitor intersections for red light violations.
Rivas Law Group is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas is dedicated to serving injured victims throughout Polk County, FL. If you have been injured in an accident, seek the advice of an attorney immediately. Call us toll free at (877) 299-5539 to schedule your free consultation with Attorney Rivas
