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Palm Beach County, Martin County & Port St. Lucie County Accident News

As a service to you, our community within the counties of Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Martin, Fetterman & Associates – The Law Team posts accident-related legal news here. This section of our website covers injuries relating to motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, and nursing home abuse occurring in the state of Florida.

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Car Accident

Driver Dies in West Palm Beach Canal Crash
Jul 29, 2010
On July 16, a silver 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer crashed into a canal, resulting in a fatal West Palm Beach car crash.

At about 2:00 p.m. on Friday, a forty-three-year-old man lost control of his SUV while traveling eastbound on Southern Boulevard, about a mile and a half west of Twenty Mile Bend.

The driver attempted to correct the vehicle, but instead over -corrected and ended up in a canal.

As the rear of the vehicle was sinking quickly, the driver successfully kicked out the front windshield. A witness, who had a rope available to throw to him, saw the driver escape and start swimming toward the shore. As the witness looked down to untie the rope, the man disappeared into the water.

Both the witness and an off-duty deputy dove into the canal in an attempt to save the man, but they were unsuccessful.

Divers recovered the body after approximately three hours of searching.

There were no other passengers in the SUV when it was recovered from the water.

We at Fetterman and Associates are saddened to hear of such a devastating West Palm Beach car accident. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the driver, whose name has not yet been released.

The beautiful water which lines our Florida roadways can also be very dangerous. Please educate yourself about what to do in the event you are ever involved in a water crash by reading our article entitled How to Survive a Florida Water Car Crash.
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Man Lying in Roadway Causes Deadly Palm Beach Car Accident
Jul 28, 2010
Early Sunday morning, a man lying in the road was struck and killed, and left for dead in a Palm Beach hit-and-run car accident.

At around 4:30 a.m., twenty-four-year-old Darrell Jean Renaud was lying in the street, just south of Roebuck Road. A Toyota Sedan approached and struck the man, and then fled the scene.

It is not known why Jean Renaud was lying in the road, but county records show that he has been arrested for disorderly conduct and public intoxication twice in the past two years.

Jean Renald died at the scene.

Investigators were searching for the driver of the vehicle by early Sunday morning. They have since discovered that the 2005 Toyota sedan was driven by Sheila H. Bolden, 53, of West Palm Beach.

Investigators did not state how Bolden was found or why she did not stop when she struck Jean Renaud in the roadway. As of Monday morning, no charges had been filed against Bolden or her passenger, Martel McCalla of West Palm Beach.

Not giving the road your full attention can have deadly consequences. Our sincere condolences are with the friends and family of Mr. Jean Renaud during this difficult time.

If you or someone you love have been severely injured in a Palm Beach car crash by a negligent driver, contact a Palm Beach auto accident attorney at Fetterman & Associates.
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West Palm Beach Woman Hit by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Van
Jul 21, 2010
A Palm Beach car crash occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 6, when a Palm Beach County Sheriff's van collided with a motorized scooter driven by a sixty-eight-year-old woman.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., the van, driven by civilian accident investigator, Gerlienus Hester, 44, was traveling eastbound along Westgate Avenue. Sixty-eight-year-old Barbara Guyton, of West Palm Beach, was traveling westbound along the same road on her motorized scooter. Hester, who presumably did not see Guyton, attempted a left turn onto Indian Drive.

The van hit the passing scooter on the left side, forcing it under the Palm Beach County Sheriff's van. Guyton had to be extricated from under the van and was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach. She was listed in critical condition later that evening. Thankfully, her condition has since been upgraded to fair.

A police investigation into the incident is still underway.

A Palm Beach motorcycle accident, or in this case, a scooter accident, can often have devastating injuries. The Palm Beach motorcycle crash attorneys at Fetterman & Associates are relieved to hear that Ms. Guyton's condition has been upgraded, and we wish her a quick, full recovery after this unfortunate Palm Beach car wreck.
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Fatal Martin County Car Crash Kills 1, Injures 2 Near Palm Beach
Jul 12, 2010
In the early morning of July 4, a Cape Canaveral woman was fatally injured in a Florida car crash, near the Palm Beach county line.

Shortly after 5:00 a.m. a 63-year-old woman, whose name has not yet been released, was traveling in the northbound inside lane of Interstate 95. As she was driving north in her 2006 Chevy Impala about four miles south of the Bridge Road exit to Hobe Sound, she struck a 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

The Chevy's front left side struck the front left side of the Hyundai, driven by Kandace Keeling, 23, of Jensen Beach.

The impact pushed Keeling's car onto the shoulder, while the Chevy was forced into another northbound lane. A 2008 Dodge Ram, driven by Patrick Stone, 26, of Vero Beach, then struck the woman's Chevy.

Stone suffered minor injuries in the accident. Keeling was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center in serious condition. The woman in the Chevy died at the scene. Troopers are still attempting to notify her family of the incident.

Florida Highway Patrol investigators suspect that Keeling's car may have been traveling the wrong way at the time of the accident, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The involvement of drugs or alcohol has not been confirmed.

Our condolences are with all who have been affected by this tragic Florida car accident.

This stretch of roadway has proven to be very dangerous. In fact, there have been two fatal accidents in this area in less than a week. We urge each and every driver to be extra vigilant when driving along this stretch of roadway, as you should be any time you drive. Your careful attention when driving could prevent you from being involved in a Palm Beach auto accident.
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Three Injured When SUV Lands on Top of Car in Florida Car Crash
Jul 10, 2010
Three people have been injured in a Florida car wreck that left an SUV resting on top of a car.

On July 1, at about 6:40 am, Jordan Joseph, 34, of Lake Worth, was driving a 1995 Honda sedan northbound on Interstate 95. While traveling in the center lane near mile marker 90, just north of the Martin County and Palm Beach County lines, one of Joseph's rear tires blew, causing him to lose control.

Nichole Cooler, 20, of Palm City, was driving along the inside lane in her 2002 Kia sport -utility vehicle when the Honda spun into her path.

The SUV struck the side of the Honda, sending both vehicles careening onto the grassy median. The SUV flipped over at least once before coming to rest upon the hood and windshield of the Honda.

Jean Dhaiti, 36, also of Lake Worth, was traveling in the Honda with Joseph. All three people involved were taken Jupiter Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries.

We at Fetterman & Associates are relieved that this Palm Beach car crash did not turn out to be more serious. We would like to wish all of those involved a quick recovery from their Palm Beach auto accident injuries.
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Palm City Man Killed in Fatal Florida Motorcycle Crash
Jun 23, 2010
A Palm City man was fatally injured early Wednesday morning when a Jeep collided with his motorcycle in a deadly Palm City motorcycle crash.

Motorcyclist John Garcia, 63, was traveling along Mapp Road in Palm City when his motorcycle was struck by a Jeep. The Jeep, driven by John K. Holman, 47, failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle when making a left turn onto Catalina Street. The Jeep then collided with Garcia’s motorcycle.

Although Garcia was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, he suffered fatal injuries. Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holman was also traveling with his fifteen-year-old son. Both were wearing seat belts and neither was injured.

When operating a motor vehicle, it is extremely important to watch for motorcyclists. A Florida motorcycle accident can be very serious, even fatal.

Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of Mr. Garcia during this difficult time. - 6 - 10
New Information Regarding Palm Beach Polo Club Founder’s Fatal Crash
Jun 23, 2010
New documents, which were released on June 21, state that John Goodman, founder of Wellington's International Polo Club Palm Beach, was drinking just minutes before his involvement in a fatal Palm Beach car crash last February.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on February 12, Goodman, 46, flew through a stop sign at approximately 63 mph and crashed into a car driven by Scott Wilson, 23. Wilson’s vehicle rolled into a nearby canal, where he was left to drown, strapped into the driver’s seat of his vehicle.

Cathleen Lewter, who was the bartender at the Player's Club in Wellington that night, stated that Goodman spent over $200 on alcohol throughout the course of the evening, including ten shots of tequila and a vodka tonic.

Wilson’s destination on the early morning of February 12 still has not been determined, as he had already driven past his residence when the accident occurred. Stacey Shore, a friend who was with Goodman throughout the night, said that the Polo Club founder asked her to go with him to get cocaine. Shore declined his offer and Goodman left the Club alone, just moments before the horrific accident.

Hospital tests did not reveal any cocaine in Wilson’s system, but did detect the presence of the painkillers hydrocodone and dihydrocodeine. Wilson stated that these medications were for chronic back pain. Blood tests also revealed that Goodman's blood-alcohol level in the hospital was 0.177, which is more than twice the legal limit for driving in Florida.

This Palm Beach auto-accident case is still under investigation. Our sincere condolences are with all who have been affected by this devastating tragedy. - 7 - 10
Nation’s Highest Rate of Fatal Car Crashes Occur on Florida’s I-95
Jun 18, 2010
Recent data released by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration reveals that Florida’s Interstate 95 is the most dangerous interstate highway in the United States. Florida’s 382-mile stretch of I-95 is shown to have the highest rate of fatal Florida auto accidents, with 1.73 fatal accidents per mile.

Police presence on the roadways used to be enough to make people slow down and obey traffic laws; however, this is no longer that case.

Florida State Patrol Lt. Alex Annunziato believes that an increase in distracted driving is to blame. He states, “I get people passing me all the time. I see a lot of aggressive driving out there, a lot of lane-changing.”

Often, when he pulls people over, he realizes just how distracted the drivers are. “They're completely startled. You can absolutely see it when my lights come on. They just have this look of, ‘Where did this guy come from?’”

It is not just the usage of cell phones and GPS systems that is creating a big risk on the roadway, but the quantity as well. “I think it's the volume coupled with the level of distraction that's present in the driving environment these days,” Annunziato said. “That really is a recipe for what we've been seeing here.”

As the summer takes full swing, we must be extra vigilant to ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones as we travel this dangerous Florida roadway. Always obey traffic laws, do not drive aggressively and restrain from using electronic devices while driving.

If you or a loved one are involved in a Florida car crash on I-95, please contact a Palm Beach car accident attorney at Fetterman & Associates today. We will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
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Florida Motorcycle Crash Kills West Palm Beach Teen
Jun 17, 2010
Reckless motorcycle driving led to the death of a 17-year-old West Palm Beach teen on Saturday, June 5.

On Saturday morning, a teenager from West Palm Beach was tragically killed when his motorcycle collided with a sport utility vehicle. The fatal Florida motorcycle crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. near the 9000 block of Wiles Road in Coral Springs.

Michael Ferraz Lanzoni, 17, was driving his Suzuki motorcycle eastbound on Wiles Road. Andrea Baigorria, 21, was driving a Ford SUV and travelling westbound on Wiles Road. As Biagorria was making a left turn, she was struck on the rear of her SUV by Lanzoni. Lanzoni was ejected upon impact, flying approximately 70 feet through the air before landing in some nearby brush.

Lanzoni was wearing a helmet, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Several witness accounts state that Lanzoni was travelling at excessive speeds and driving recklessly, swerving in and out of traffic just before the Florida motorcycle accident. A police officer also stated that he witnessed Lanzoni running a red traffic light just moments before the fatal Florida motorcycle crash.

Baigorria was transported to Coral Springs Medical Center where she was treated by medical professionals and released with minor injuries.

Our sincere condolences are with the friends and families of all who have been affected by this tragic Coral Springs accident.
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Founder of Palm Beach Polo Club Arrested Months After Fatal Crash
May 28, 2010
John Goodman, 46, founder of Palm Beach International Polo Club, was arrested on May 18 for his involvement in a fatal Wellington car accident. This arrest comes after a 3-month investigation into the crash that resulted in the death of Scott Patrick Wilson, 23, who was a recent University of Central Florida mechanical engineering graduate.

At approximately 1 a.m. on February 12, Goodman, who was driving his Bentley after a night of drinking, ran a stop sign and collided with Wilson’s Hyundai Sonata, sending it rolling into a canal. According to the arrest affidavit, “Goodman fled the scene and left Wilson to drown in the canal, belted in the driver seat of his vehicle.”

Goodman fled the scene and came upon a nearby trailer, where he proceeded to call his girlfriend before calling 911. Phone records show that he called his girlfriend at 1:52 a.m. before calling 911 at 1:55 a.m.

According to the arrest affidavit, when deputies found Goodman, his speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol. They did not, however, issue a breathalyzer test. Goodman was taken to the Wellington Regional Medical Center for his minor injuries. A forced bold test was taken and, as stated in the arrest affidavit, “The results of the blood tests showed that Goodman had a blood alcohol level of .177.”

Goodman was arrested on charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, both with failure to render aid. If convicted, Goodman could face up to 30 years in prison for each charge. He has since been released on a 100,000 bail.

Our condolences are with all who have been affected by this tragedy. - 10 - 10

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