Fetterman & Associates
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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.Car Accident
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Palm City Man Killed in Fatal Florida Motorcycle Crash
Jun 23, 2010A 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. - 11 - 20 -
New Information Regarding Palm Beach Polo Club Founder’s Fatal Crash
Jun 23, 2010New 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. - 12 - 20 -
Nation’s Highest Rate of Fatal Car Crashes Occur on Florida’s I-95
Jun 18, 2010Recent 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, 2010Reckless 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, 2010John 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. - 15 - 20 -
Deadly Greenacres Car Accident May Be Linked to Street Racing
Apr 28, 2010A Greenacres car accident involving three vehicles leaves one person dead and two others injured after an apparent street racing incident goes bad. The crash took place on Friday, April 23, 2010, at the intersection of Melaleuca Lane and Jog Road.
According to witnesses, two cars were seen speeding northbound on Jog Road when one of the vehicles collided with a third car. The accident left one person dead and two others injured, including an unidentified 14-year-old girl who was transported to a local hospital and treated for injuries sustained in the accident.
The victim was trapped inside the car and had to be extricated by rescue crews. Her condition was not made known.
The witnesses also reported that the third car, which was not directly involved in the crash, fled the accident scene. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department is attempting to determine if the accident was a result of a street race.
The Greenacres auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. No other details concerning the crash were made available. It was unclear as to whether police were able to locate the driver of the car that left the scene.
Street racing can lead to serious accidents. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those who have been affected by this tragedy during this difficult time.
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West Palm Beach Car Accident Turns Deadly
Apr 27, 2010A West Palm Beach car accident involving a speeding Ford Mustang leaves one person dead and sends another to the hospital. The incident took place on Friday evening, April 9, 2010, along Georgia Avenue, south of Forest Hill Boulevard.
According to reports, three friends, 21-year-old Kyle Sawyer, 17-year-old Allie Sheffield and 19-year-old Anthony Valdesuso, just left volleyball practice at Forest Hill High School when they piled into Valdesuso’s Ford Mustang.
According to reports, Valdesuso was reaching speeds of approximately 100 mph on the 2-lane road. He was driving in a 30 mph zone when he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to pass another car.
Rescue crews transported Sheffield to a nearby hospital where she was treated for severe head injuries. Unfortunately, she died the next day.
Sawyer was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center. He suffered a fractured neck, pelvis and hip. Sawyer was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and was ejected from the car.
The driver, Valdesuso, was not seriously injured in the crash. Police have not announced whether or not they will file any charges against him.
Sawyer reported that just before the crash, Sheffield looked over at Valdesuso and said, “Can you drive fast please? I’ve never driven fast before in a Mustang.”
Police are still investigating the accident.
This is a terrible event and our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those who have been affected by it. - 17 - 20 -
West Palm Beach Car Accident Claims the Life of a High School Student
Apr 19, 2010A West Palm Beach car accident claims the life of a high school student after the car she was riding in slams into a utility pole. The incident took place at approximately 6:45 PM on Friday evening, April 9, 2010, along Georgia Avenue.
According to the West Palm Beach Police Department, 19-year-old Anthony Valdesuso was driving a Ford Mustang and speeding southbound on Georgia Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. Valdesuso suffered minor injuries in the collision.
Allison Sheffield, a 16-year-old Forest Hill High School sophomore was riding in the passenger seat at the time of the accident. Rescue crews transported Sheffield to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead a day later from injuries sustained in the accident.
A third victim, 21-year-old Kyle Sawyer, was riding in the backseat. He was reported as not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the Ford. Sawyer was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center and treated for spinal cord injuries. He has been listed in stable condition.
The fatal West Palm Beach auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. It is unclear as to whether any charges will be brought forth.
This is a terrible accident and our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.
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Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Leads to Fatal Injuries
Apr 09, 2010A Palm Beach pedestrian accident leads to the death of one man after he is struck while crossing the road. The incident took place at approximately 6:30 AM on Sunday morning, April 4, 2010, on Ocean Drive.
According to police, a man was crossing Ocean Drive, also known as State Road A1A, just south of Donald Ross Road, when a Lexus struck him. The victim, Loren Robert Ray, 80, of Palm Beach Gardens, was walking to an Easter sunrise service when he was hit.
Rescue crews transported Ray to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the accident.
Ray was attempting to cross from west to east when he stepped in front of the Lexus. The driver has been identified as Thomas Bright, 70, of Juno Beach. It was unclear as to whether Bright was injured in the incident.
The fatal Palm Beach accident is still under investigation by local authorities. Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Tim Frith indicated that they are taking into account issues regarding street lighting considering the accident took place just before dawn.
This is an unfortunate accident and our thoughts and condolences go out to Mr. Ray’s family and friends during this difficult time. - 19 - 20 -
West Palm Beach Car Accident Leaves Two Dead
Apr 05, 2010A West Palm Beach car accident involving a pick-up truck leaves two people dead after the truck becomes submerged in a canal. The incident took place at approximately 4:00 AM on Tuesday morning, March 30, 2010, near the Beeline Highway and Caloosa Boulevard.
According to deputies, the driver of the pick-up truck lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a bridge. The truck then landed and became submerged in a canal. The force of the impact caused both the driver and the passenger to be ejected from the truck.
Police have identified the victims as 27-year-old Jay Brandon Collins and 15-year-old Osvaldo Estremera. One of the victims was pulled from the canal while the second victim was found by rescue crews on the bridge. Both victims were pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the early morning crash.
“Looking at a crash where people are ejected that’s obviously the first point you want to look at,” said Sgt John Churchill. “Where they wearing seatbelts or not? In most cases they’re not.”
The West Palm Beach auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Police are still trying to figure out if speed or alcohol played a role.
This is an unfortunate accident. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.
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648 US Highway One
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Phone: 561-845-2510
Toll Free: 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635)
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Fetterman & Associates, PA
648 US Highway One
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Phone: 561-845-2510
Toll Free: 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635)
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