Florida Injury Attorneys Blog

Seth Adams Dies in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida After Police Shooting

Fri, 18 May 2012 01:39:09 -0500

Seth Adams of Loxahatchee Groves, Florida died on Thursday following an altercation with a police officer, according to news reports. Adams, 24, was pronounced dead at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach this morning, a police spokeswoman reportedly said. The police officer who allegedly shot Adams in the chest in an act of self-defense has not been identified publicly; the officer, who was described as a 'veteran' by the spokesperson, has been placed on paid administrative leave as an internal investigation of the shooting is conducted. No charges have been filed. It is not clear whether Adam's family plans on filing a wrongful death suit against the deputy. Adams was reportedly survived by his mother, father, and older brother.

According to press reports, the shooting took place late on Wednesday night near Okeechobee Boulevard and A Road, in the parking lot of A One Stop Garden Shop. Adam's family reportedly owns the business, and Adams works in an administrative position in the store's office six days a week. Adams' family also lives on the property in a trailer, according to reports.

Adams' family told the press that Adams was out with friends and had returned home at approximately 11:30 p.m. that night. It is not clear whether Adams had been drinking; the spokesperson's statement does not address alcohol or drugs being a factor in the altercation. When Adams arrived at home, the deputy was reportedly parked in the business' parking lot, wearing plain clothes. It does not appear as though the deputy was using a marked patrol car at the time, as he had to identify himself as an officer using his badge. It is not entirely clear what the officer was doing in the parking lot, although the sheriff's spokesperson evidently stated that he was on duty at the time of the shooting. The deputy reportedly used his registered weapon to fire the shot.

Stanley Gerard Pierre-Louis of Miami-Dade, Florida Involved in Car Accident

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:42:32 -0500

Stanley Gerard Pierre-Louis of Miami-Dade, Florida was taken into police custody after he lost control of his vehicle on Wednesday morning, reports indicate. Pierre-Louis, 24, has not been charged as of yet as investigators continue to determine the cause of the crash. It is not clear whether Pierre-Louis has retained a criminal defense lawyer, nor is it clear why he was taken into custody if he has not been charged with a crime.

According to news reports, the car accident occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, in the parking lot of Santa Fe Shopping Center, located in Northwest Miami-Dade near the intersection of Northwest 143rd Street and Northwest 7th Avenue. Pierre-Louis was apparently driving a Cadillac when he lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons and crashed into five parked cars. It is not clear who owns the cars, nor is it clear what the financial damages of the accident were. Media reports do not indicate whether Pierre-Louis has a valid driver's license or whether police suspect that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Sources indicate that a woman who was sitting in one of the parked cars that Pierre-Louis struck was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospitals. Her injuries have been described as non-life threatening. No one else was hurt in the crash, reports indicate.

Jemil Slaughter, an area resident, reportedly told the press that the injured woman is his sister, 25-year-old Dominique Slaughter. He relayed to the media that she had been napping in the passenger seat of a green Honda Accord at the time of the crash, and that after the car was struck, she was "hysterical" but is now doing okay. It is not clear whether Slaughter plans to press charges regarding the incident.

Accidents of all kinds occur in Florida on a daily basis. One unusual but tragic on-the-job accident that just transpired caused the death of a 48-year-old Tampa resident. The man's name has not been made public, as authorities are still working to inform family members of the death.

Allen Clifton Arrested in Marion County, Florida for Drunk Driving

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:07:27 -0500

Allen Clifton was arrested in Marion County, Florida after he allegedly impersonated a police officer while driving drunk. Clifton, 29, was reportedly charged with one count each of impersonating a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence of alcohol, fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and resisting without violence, as well as six counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He remains incarcerated in lieu of paying $55,000 according to reports. It is not clear whether Clifton has retained a private criminal defense lawyer.

According to press reports, the alleged offenses occurred on Monday in Marion County, near Highway 484 and Marion Oaks Boulevard. The time of the indecent is not currently known, although multiple marked police cars were reportedly involved.

The episode purportedly began when a Marion county deputy allegedly spotted Clifton driving a white GMC pickup truck with strobe lights, trying to pull another vehicle over to the side of the road. A description of the vehicle that Clifton was allegedly attempting to pull over is not available, and it is not clear what investigators suspect Clifton's alleged motives were in attempting to pull over the vehicle. The deputy reported that upon witnessing the interaction, he tried to pull Clifton over, but that Clifton fled. The officer gave chase and called for backup.

The officer alleged that Clifton continued to flee, driving over 100 miles per hour and leading several marked police cars on a police chase through a residential neighborhood. It does not appear as though any bystanders (pedestrians or otherwise) were hurt during the chase. The press release by Marion County's Sheriff Office alleges that eventually, in order to stop Clifton, police officers blocked the street with their cars. Clifton, however, allegedly still refused to stop, slamming through the makeshift barricade and continuing to drive away.

Miami International Airport Mover Derailing Injures Two

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:35:05 -0500

A Miami International Airport (MIA) Mover train derailed on Sunday, injuring two passengers, according to news reports. The two passengers in question were reportedly treated on the scene for minor injuries, but the derailing has caused problems for passengers trying to get to their flights, sources indicate. Investigators are purportedly still trying to determine the cause of the derailing. As of now no criminal action is suspected, although only a completed investigation will reveal whether any charges are forthcoming.

According to news reports, the derailing occurred just before noon on Sunday at the airport. The monorail system is a year old and reportedly cost approximately $270 million to build. It is not clear whether there have been problems such as this with the system in the past. The monorail is meant to transport airplane passengers to terminals and is free for passengers to use.

Reports indicate that at the time of the derailing, there were twelve passengers aboard the train. Ten of the passengers were unhurt. None of the passengers' names or ages have been released.

"The MIA Mover had some type of malfunction. So, right now we're investigating what happened," a spokesperson purportedly told the press. Airport clientele reported that the airport did not specify the nature of the malfunction. "They just said it was down. They didn't say it derailed or anything. That's really scary. Now I am a little scared to take the monorail," one woman who had just landed at Miami International Airport apparently told a reporter.

According to news reports, passengers were forced to take shuttles to their terminals to avoid missing flights, turning what was supposed to be a short train ride into a long wait. Passengers lined up to board shuttles complained of having to wait for half an hour or more, putting them at risk of missing flights. The mover remains out of order as airport workers continue to perform repairs and attempt to determine the cause of the derailing.

The Miami International Airport derailing was one of several major headlines in area news today. Another big story was that or Robert Anderson and Lawrence Clark, two Miami area solid waste employees who were arrested on Friday for bribery. The pair was reportedly apprehended after authorities accused them of bribing a resident to perform a pickup. The men were arrested on one count of bribery each and booked at Miami-Dade County jail, where they were later released on $7,500 bond each, sources indicate. It is not clear whether either defendant has retained a private criminal defense lawyer.

Carolyn Ramos of Port St. Lucie, Florida Only Survivor of Fiery Wrong-Way Crash

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:31:33 -0500

Carolyn Ramos of Port St. Lucie, Florida, is reportedly recovering after she allegedly struck a pickup truck after driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 on Sunday, according to reports. Ramos, 41, has not been charged as authorities continue to investigate the crash, which, sources indicate, may have involved the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is not clear whether Ramos has retained a private criminal defense lawyer to help her with any forthcoming charges. Likewise, it is not yet known whether family member of the victims plan on filing wrongful death suits.

According to news reports, the car accident occurred on northbound Interstate 95 near Martin Highway at approximately 2:19 a.m. on Sunday. Ramos allegedly drove her Jeep SUV onto the wrong side of the highway, running south in a northbound lane, until she collided head-on with a 1982 Chevrolet pickup truck. Police are not yet sure what caused Ramos to go the wrong way on the highway. "The events that led up to the crash are still under investigation, but the vehicles collided head-on and stopped within the inside lane of I-95," a report by the Florida Highway Patrol reportedly details.

Because the investigation is still proceeding, it is not clear where Ramos entered the highway or how fast either vehicle was going when they collided. What is known is that both vehicles ended up bursting into flames upon impact. The truck reportedly contained a man, a woman, and two children. None survived the collision, as they were trapped inside of their burning vehicle. They were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released as police work to identify them and inform relatives of the loss. It is possible that identification will take some time due to the damage from the fire. "[The vehicle is] crushed and [the victims] are totally burned up, so we're waiting for the Tri-County people to come out and take it apart and determine exactly who is in the vehicle," one Florida highway patrol trooper was quoted as telling the press at the scene.

Tyler K. Burdhimo of Oakland Park, Florida Arrested after Maria Konstantinidis Killed in Hit-And-Run

Thu, 10 May 2012 05:14:13 -0500

Tyler K. Burdhimo of Oakland Park, Florida was arrested after he allegedly struck and killed Maria Konstantinidis in a hit-and-run car accident, according to news reports. Burdhimo, 18, has been charged with driving without a valid driver's license and leaving the scene of a crash involving a fatality, sources indicate. He was reportedly booked into Broward County Jail on the charges, where he was granted $17,500 bail bond. If he posts the bond, sources indicate that he will have to don a GPS locator before he is freed. It is not clear whether Burdhimo has retained a private criminal defense lawyer to help him with the charges.

News sources indicate that Burdhimo has been accused of being involved in a crash that occurred on Tuesday morning in the 1500 block of Northeast 45th Street. In a public announcement, a Broward County Sheriff's office spokesperson reportedly stated that Konstantinidis, 75, had been walking along the street near the intersection of 15th Terrace and North East 45th Street just after sunrise when she was struck by a four-door Nissan Ultima. Investigators purportedly noted that the lack of skid marks in the area indicated that the driver had not stopped after the accident occurred.

Konstantinidis was reportedly found in the street wearing clothes that suggested she was exercising at the time of the crash. Police found a "Nissan" emblem on the ground near her, according to sources. Konstantinidis was transported to Broward General Medical Center for medical treatment, but she died a few hours later of injuries sustained in the accident, reports indicate.

Authorities reportedly connected the collision with Burdhimo after someone called in an anonymous tip indicating that a vehicle matching the description of the hit-and-run car was parked at a home approximately two blocks away from where the accident occurred. Police investigated the claim, which led them to a damaged 2007 Nissan Altima located at the 4300 block of Northeast 15th Terrace. Deputies evidently notice that the damage to the Nissan was consistent with damage from hitting a pedestrian and that the car was missing its' front grill emblem.

Rosa Maria Rivera-Kim Charged with Broward County, Florida Crash that Killed Alanna DeMella

Thu, 10 May 2012 05:12:40 -0500

Rosa Maria Rivera-Kim of Plantation, Florida was charged with the March death of Alanna DeMella today, reports indicate. Rivera-Kim, 24, was reportedly arrested at approximately 2:00 p.m. on charges of DUI manslaughter with an unlawful blood alcohol level, DUI manslaughter with impairment, and DUI property damage. It is not yet known whether she has qualified for bail bond.

The car accident in question, which made international headlines, occurred on March 18 at approximately 1:30 p.m. in a cabana located in the pool area of Riverside Hotel. The hotel is located on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Rivera-Kim later explained to investigators that she had been on her way back from lunch with her husband when the crash occurred. She had reportedly just started eating at a Mangos Restaurant and Lounge, located at 904 E. Las Olas Boulevard, when she and her husband got into an argument. Rivera-Kim told investigators that she became upset and left, leaving her half-finished appetizers and martini at the restaurant.

Rivera-Kim reported that as she drove by the hotel, she lost control of her silver 2006 Audi, sources indicate. Coverage of the accident says that Rivera-Kim crossed an eastbound lane of the road and crashed into the cabana-style bathroom near the pool of the hotel. Alanna DeMella, 27 and seven months pregnant, was reportedly using the facility at the time of the crash. Sources indicate that she died on impact. Witnesses at the hotel reported that the cabana partially collapsed when the car hit it.

A witness later told police that Rivera-Kim had been going over the 25 mile per hour speed limit posted on the road, according to reports. Rivera-Kim reportedly told investigators at the crash site that she did not remember hitting the building. Toxicology reports of blood taken from Rivera-Kim at the crash site showed that her blood alcohol level at the time of the collision was 0.24%. The legal blood alcohol percentage for operating a motor vehicle is 0.08%.

Lesa Tavarez, Daemon Drew Collide in The Acreage, Florida Car Accident; Tavarez Dies

Sun, 06 May 2012 19:42:32 -0500

Lesa Tavarez, Daemon Drew, and two others were involved in a car accident in The Acreage, Florida that ended with Tavarez dead and Drew and the others hospitalized, according to news reports. No charges have yet been filed and an investigation is under way, but authorities have purportedly indicated that the accident may have been the result of DUI or impairment due to drugs. It is not clear whether 17-year-old Drew, who allegedly ran into Tavarez' vehicle, has retained a private criminal defense lawyer or would potentially face prosecution as an adult if charged.

According to sources, the collision occurred on Friday at approximately 1:13 p.m. at the intersection of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Boulevard in The Acreage, Florida. Reports indicate that Tavarez was making a right turn onto Orange Boulevard in her 2011 Mini Cooper when Drew struck her vehicle with a 2008 Hyundai. Details of the crash are not immediately available, such as whether the crash was a rear-end, side-sweep, or head-on collision or whether speed was a factor. After the collision, reports indicate that the Mini Cooper rolled over. Drew's vehicle apparently continued down Orange Boulevard until his vehicle struck a curb and flipped over as well.

Tavarez's vehicle was reportedly carrying passengers Zachary Dooling, 20, along with a minor whose name and age have not been made public; it is not clear how Tavarez and the passengers were related. Tavarez was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to reports. The three survivors of the crash were airlifted to St. Mary's Medical center for treatment. Police indicated that Seminole Pratt Whitney Road was partially closed for a few hours following the collision but were re-opened that evening.

Unfortunately, this was not the only fatal accident in the area last week. On Tuesday, a three-vehicle crash on Veterans Memorial Parkway injured six people, sources indicate. The names of the injured parties are currently unavailable as Port St. Lucie officials continue to investigate the collision, one of numerous South Florida car accidents to occur recently.

Walter Roach of Miramar, Florida Attacked by Pit Bull

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:56:06 -0500

Walter Roach of Miramar, Florida was reportedly sent to the hospital after a pit bull attack, sources indicate. The attack came just a day after Miami-Dade commissioners decided to include a vote on whether to lift their ban on pit bull ownership. Reds, the dog in question, was taken from Steve White, his 22-year-old owner, following the alleged attack. Walter Roach, 77, required treatment at Memorial Hospital Pembroke following the incident, where he was reportedly kept overnight on Wednesday. It is not clear whether Mr. Roach is seeking the services of a personal injury lawyer.

According to news reports, the alleged dog bite attack occurred at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday in the 8600 block of Shearton Drive in Miramar. Roach reportedly told investigators that he was walking in the area, which is near his residence, when he was approached by three unsupervised pit bulls. The pit bulls were reportedly not on leashes and not accompanied by an owner. One of the pit bulls, 4-year-old Reds, attacked Roach, biting his back, right leg, and left arm. Reports do not mention how Roach was able to escape the attack.

After the altercation, Roach was transported to Memorial Hospital Pembroke, where he was treated with 24 stitches for his non-life threatening injuries. He was quoted calling the dog that attacked him "vicious" and "dangerous." It is not clear whether he has already been released from Memorial Hospital.

Melvin Jonathan Gouthro Injured in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Hit-And-Run

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:28:31 -0500

Melvin Jonathan Gouthro was struck in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida hit-and-run accident that left him with serious injures, news sources indicate. Gouthro, 41, was last reported to be at Broward Health Medical Center in critical condition. Police are still looking for the driver, who was reportedly fled the scene in a black sedan. Pompano Beach Rotary Club, of which Gouthro is a member, has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the hit-and-run driver.

According to reports, the accident occurred on Saturday at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Seabreeze Boulevard. Gouthro, a Bahamas resident, was reportedly staying in the area for pleasure and was walking to W Hotel, where he was staying, when the collision occurred. He was reportedly coming from city docks near East Las Olas Boulevard, where he had left his Ocean Sportfish yacht after spending the day watching the Lauderdale Air show with friends aboard the vessel.

A witness to the accident reported that after striking Gouthro, the hit-and-run vehicle fled down Poinsetta Street. The license plate number of the vehicle remains unknown, and no other description is yet available. It is not clear whether Gouthro was crossing the street at a crosswalk. The witness called police to report the accident, and Gouthro was transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment.

Gouthro's business partner from Walton & Company CPAs, located in Boca Raton, told the press that his friend had yet to regain consciousness. "He is showing signs of responsiveness, but his eyes are closed," said R. Walton of his accountant business partner. "I hope they get the driver. It was a very criminal act to leave him there." It is not clear what kinds of injuries Gouthro sustained. Gouthro's family has reportedly declined to comment on the accident, and it is unknown whether they are seeking the services of a personal injury lawyer.

Gouthro's friends say that Gouthro is a generous and kind man. "He is always the person to pick you up at the airport," one of Gouthro's Rotary Club friends told the press. "He's very gracious and very generous with charities in the Bahamas and made a lot of anonymous donations. If we needed $500 to donate books, he'd be the first to give it himself."

Edith Bette Lewis, Steven V. Taitel in Palm Beach, Florida Car Accident

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:31:21 -0500

Edith Bette Lewis, Steven V. Taitel, his wife Karen Taitel, and Jack and Joyce Weinstein were involved in a Palm Beach, Florida car accident over the weekend that ended with Steven Taitel dead, according to news sources. Taitel, 69, was reportedly pronounced dead at Delray Medical Center after the accident. Karen Taitel, 68, Joyce Weinstein, 67, and Edith Bette Lewis, 72, sustained serious injuries in the crash, sources indicate. Jack Weinstein was reportedly the least hurt, suffering minor injuries. Charges are pending as an investigation into the crash continues. Authorities have asked any witness of the crash to please come forward with information.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reportedly announced the accident in a press release on Monday morning. According to reports, the accident occurred at approximately 10:23 p.m. on Sunday night at the entrance to the Cobblestone Creek community located on Lyons Road. Weinstein was reportedly driving an Infiniti sedan carrying his wife and Steven and Karen Taitel, while Lewis was driving a Dodge Caravan with no passengers. The crash allegedly occurred when the Infiniti was headed northbound on Lyons Road. Lewis allegedly drove her vehicle directly in front of the Infiniti while trying to turn left into the Cobblestone Creek community where she lived. The Infiniti struck the Caravan on its right side, sources indicate.

After the accident, everyone involved in the crash had to be transported to area hospitals for medical treatment, according to reports. Taitel was reportedly pronounced dead at 4:05 a.m. on Monday at Delray Medical Center, where he was undergoing emergency surgery. Karen Taitel, Joyce Weistein, and Lewis remain in serious condition, and no updates on their statuses are immediately available. It is not clear whether Jack Weinstein is still in the hospital

Florida has seen more than its' fair share of traffic accidents recently. In one Winter Park, Florida incident that occurred recently, a 21-year-old woman was arrested and charged with DUI and property damage after she allegedly struck a Steak 'n Shake restaurant with her SUV. It is not immediately clear whether Brittany Christian has qualified for bail bond or retained a private criminal defense attorney following the incident.

Sara Ramirez Sandoval, Bertha Rodriguez-Garcia Die in I-595 Accidents

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:20:07 -0500

Sara Ramirez Sandoval and Bertha Rodriguez-Garcia died in separate Florida Turnpike accidents on 1-595 in South Florida, reports indicate. Sandoval, 22, and Rodriguez-Garcia, 20, were both involved in the accidents last Thursday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash that killed Sandoval involved two motorcycles and left an unidentified man in critical condition, sources indicate. The car accident that killed Rodriguez-Garcia involved a Honda CRV driven by 36-year-old Wilbert Saintubert and a small SUV that left the scene of the accident. Both accidents are still under investigation, and charges have not yet been filed.

According to a press release by the Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcycle accident occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. last Thursday on a ramp that joins westbound I-595 with the Florida Turnpike. The stretch has been under construction for two years and will be for another two years, reports indicate. The speed limit in the area is 35 miles per hour because of a sharp left turn in the ramp, but a FHP representative said that many drivers are unprepared for the turn. "Previous crashes like this that we have had in the other area ramps have been speed-related," said the representative to the press. Since the accident is still under investigation, it is not yet known whether speed was a factor.

According to the release, Sandoval was riding her 2011 Honda motorcycle, and the other motorcyclist involved was riding a 2005 Suzuki. Officials say that both drivers lost control of their vehicles and slammed their bikes into a concrete wall on the side of the ramp. They then reportedly flew over the wall and fell approximately 30 feet to I-595. Reports indicate that the male victim was not run over, although it is not clear whether Sandoval was. Sources indicate that Sandoval was transported to Broward Medical Center and pronounced dead shortly after the accident. The male victim, whose name has not been released, was last reported to be in critical condition. No updates have been made available.

Jeff Hood of Miami, Florida Hits, Kills Carolina Cuadra and Issac Antonio Lopez in Car Accident

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:18:05 -0500

Jeff Hood of Miami, Florida struck and killed father-daugher duo Carolina Cuadra and Issac Antonio Lopez in a car accident, according to reports. Hood, 45, suffered minor injuries in the crash. No charges have yet been filed as police continue to investigate the incident. It is not clear whether Mr. Hood has retained a private criminal defense attorney.

Reports indicate that the car accident occurred last Thursday at approximately 1:00 a.m. on the Palmetto Expressway, close to the Northwest 36 Street ramp. According to the accident report, Cuadra and Lopez were going to a warehouse to pick up Miami Herald Media Co. newspapers for delivery. Cuadra was a contract newspaper carrier for the paper, for which she worked 365 days a year.

While the pair was headed to the warehouse in Cuadra's 1996 Toyota, Hood allegedly rear-ended their vehicle with his 2002 Dodge pickup. The impact of the crash allegedly smashed Cuadra's vehicle, destroying the car and killing both her and her father. Sources indicate that Hood may have been speeding at the time of the accident, and police reportedly drew blood at the scene to determine whether he had been drinking. The report indicates that Hood was not visibly drunk, and no open containers were found in his vehicle.

Hood is a Miami-Dade County employee, though he was driving his personal vehicle at the time of the accident. Both Cuadra and her husband, Jose, worked for the Miami Herald. Carolina Cuadra left him behind along with her three daughters, aged 7, 13, and 21. It is not clear whether the Cuadra family plans on seeking the services of a personal injury lawyer.

14 Injured in Broward County, Florida Bus Accident

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:48:43 -0500

A Broward County, Florida bus accident injured 14 people on Tuesday, according to an announcement by a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesperson. The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the corner of Southwest 2nd Avenue and Southwest 4th Street, according to the announcement. The 14 injured parties were transported to four different hospitals for treatment. Charges have not yet been filed as Broward County officials conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.

While details of the combination bus and car accident are not yet available, a Broward County transit bus and two white four-door vehicles were reportedly involved in the collision. The youngest person involved was a 1-year-old child who was a passenger in one of the vehicles. 12 bus passengers suffered from minor injuries.

The names and ages of those involved in the crash are not available, nor have the circumstances surrounding the collision been released. Aerial shots of the accident scene revealed that one of the cars sustained visible body damage, while the second car appeared to be largely intact. It is not clear what the financial cost in damages caused by the accident may be.

The accident comes in the immediate wake of another crash involving a Broward Transit Bus. The accident, which occurred over the weekend at 3100 West Broward Boulevard, trapped a 30-year-old man inside of his own vehicle. Emergency crews ended up extracting him from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life, a hydraulic rescue tool used to pry apart severely damaged vehicle in order to free trapped occupants. The man was taken to Broward Medical center for treatment after he was freed. His condition is not publicly known.

Jennifer Toth Arrested after Orlando, Florida Hit-And-Run Death of Liu Ye

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:46:17 -0500

Jennifer Toth was arrested in Orlando, Florida after she allegedly hit pedestrian Liu Ye in a hit-and-run car accident. Ye was proounced dead at Dr. Phillips Hospital soon after the accident. Toth was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash with a death in connection with the accident. She was apprehended after she contacted authorities to file an accident report, according to reports. Toth was booked into Orange County Jail in Orlando, Florida, which she later left on $20,000 bail bond. It is not clear whether Toth has retained a private criminal defense attorney.

According to the car accident report, Ye was struck at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17 near the intersection of Meadow Creek Drive and State Road 535 in Orlando, Florida. The site of the accident is near the south entrance to Walt Disney World, where Ye, a 22-year-old Chinese national, was working as a part of Disney's International College program. The program enlists students from across the globe to work temporarily as cast members in Disney theme parks and is meant to foster international ties and provide real-world business experience, according to the program's official site. A Disney representative said that Ye had been working in the Magic Kingdom section of Walt Disney World. Disney released a statement expressing condolences to Ye's family.

The accident report indicates that Ye was crossing Meadow Creek Drive at a crosswalk when a black Nissan Ultima ran a red light and struck her. Witnesses reported that the driver of the Nissan kept going without slowing or stopping the vehicle. The report indicates that a few witnesses stopped their vehicles, called police, and tried to help Ye. She did not have identification on her at the time of the accident, but police were able to identify her afterwards, although it is unclear exactly how.