A mixed breed St. Bernard-Labrador retriever named Malachi apparently bit a woman in the midst of an attack on a smaller terrier at a dog beach in Canova Beach Park in Brevard County earlier this month. The terrier and his owner had apparently been at the dog beach, which opened in February of this year, every day. The dog attack occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. on a recent morning when the larger dog escaped the restraints of his handler, close to the entrance to the beach.
]]> The animal first attacked the terrier, named J.B., taking him into his mouth while shaking his head back and forth, police say. The St. Bernard's owner tried to separate the dogs, and was then bitten on her right hand, suffering a laceration and bite punctures on her right hand.She was cited by law enforcement for the property damage caused by the attack and for failing to properly restrain the dog. County Animal Enforcement officers were summoned to the scene.
The terrier was injured and had to be treated at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital, where it was determined that one of his front legs was broken. Required surgery to insert a pin into his shoulder was estimated to cost approximately $2,000. The dog who staged the attack was being held in quarantine at his owner's home in Melbourne. J.B.'s owner was not injured in the incident, but she very well could have been.
Source: Florida Today, "Woman bit, terrier mauled during attack at Brevard's dog-friendly beach," Rick Neale, May 3, 2012
]]>It doesn't happen all that often, but a man was driving down the road recently when he encountered a horse running straight at him. The 63-year-old man was traveling south on Highway 29 in the left lane in Molino over the weekend. At that time, he saw the horse running northbound in his lane.
]]> He was unable to avoid hitting the horse with the front end of his 2007 Kia, and this set off a multi-vehicle crash. The man, who was from Pensacola, died from his injuries, while his 56-year-old passenger was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Pictures posted to local news websites show the vehicle after the crash. The top of the car on the driver's side appears totaled.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the horse came to rest in one of the southbound lanes, where it was struck by two other vehicles. At least one person in one of those vehicles sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The horse did not survive the accident, and it's unknown if authorities can track where it can from. The accident could have caused even more injuries or fatalities had any of the vehicles collided with each other. Each vehicle struck only the horse.
Source: NorthEscambia.com, "One killed in multi-vehicle crash with a horse," May 14, 2012
]]>A car accident involving four vehicles occurred on a recent evening on U.S. 98 in West Pensacola. Several people suffered injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Two men were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries, while a man and a woman were taken to Baptist Hospital, also with serious injuries. An 18-year-old woman and a 3-year-old girl suffered minor injuries.
]]> Reports of the incident were received from the crash site on the highway near Navy Exchange Road close to Naval Hospital Pensacola. Members of the Florida Highway Patrol and emergency crews were summoned to the scene of the crash to provide assistance, direct diverted traffic, investigate the causes of the accident, and remove debris.According to the Pensacola News Journal, an investigating officer who surveyed the scene says the rain probably played a role in the collision. A police report stated that two SUVs on the highway smashed into each other head-on, after which a pickup truck and a sedan also became involved in the accident. According to one report, one driver admitted falling asleep, which may have caused the accident.
Due to the number of vehicles involved and the amount of debris, the crash forced a shutdown of traffic in a westbound lane of the highway. Only after both damaged SUVs were taken off the crash site was traffic able to start moving again.
Source: Pensacola News Journal, "Rain blamed in U.S. 98 crash late Wednesday," Lindsay Ruebens, May 3, 2012
]]>A Florida motorist is facing serious charges after allegedly leaving the scene of a serious motorcycle accident in Panama City Beach. The driver apparently hit a motorcyclist, a police chief from another state who was vacationing in Florida. That man died last week from his injuries stemming from the crash.
]]> The accident happened on Thomas Drive late last month. The police chief was riding in a group of motorcyclists when the 52-year-old driver apparently pulled in front of him without signaling. The motorcyclist then struck the vehicle and was thrown over the handlebars of his motorcycle onto the ground.The motorcyclist, who had served as a police chief for 15 years, survived the crash but suffered very serious injuries. He died several days later at a hospital, surrounded by his family.
The driver fled the scene of the accident but was later located and arrested. He is facing a variety of charges, including leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Panama City News Herald.
He may be facing more: In the wake of the motorcyclist's death, prosecutors may add DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene with death. The latter charge is a first-degree felony with a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. He could, of course, get additional jail time if convicted of the manslaughter charge.
Source: Panama City News Herald, "Update: Lowell police chief dies after Panama City Beach wreck," Jessica McCarthy, May 4, 2012
]]>A Northwest Florida man is in trouble with the law and faces a slew of charges, including leaving the scene of a hit-and-run, after causing two car accidents in Pensacola and threatening a 74-year-old man with a knife in the process. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in the incidents, which caused one person to suffer minor injuries, as well as approximately $12,000 in damage to multiple vehicles.
]]> According to the police report, the 48-year-old driver was traveling west in an eastbound lane shortly before midnight when he swerved out of the lane and hit the driver of a 2010 Chevrolet with his 2004 Pontiac. The driver in the Chevrolet received minor injuries.The driver of the Pontiac continued driving and hit a second vehicle, a 2006 Toyota. After the second collision, the 48-year-old driver's vehicle was not drivable. According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, the man then got out of his Pontiac and pulled a knife on the elderly man driving the Toyota. However, the 74-year-old man was apparently not injured in the crash or harmed with the knife.
While he did not receive any injuries, the man who caused the accidents has been charged with leaving the scene of a hit and run, failure to maintain a single lane, aggravated assault and driving while under the influence. It's lucky no one was more seriously injured in the accidents.
Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, "Man hits two vehicles, threatens 74-year-old crash victim with knife," Angel McCurdy, April 27, 2012
]]>What it comes down to is experience, or lack thereof, according to the vice president of the Highway Loss Data Institute. In the first four weeks of riding, motorcyclists are four times more likely to crash than during their entire second year of riding.
]]> There are a number of tasks that a motorcyclist must get used to and sometimes juggle at once, including shifting gears, braking, balancing on one foot and releasing the clutch.According to the Republic, one study showed that of 57,000 insurance claims involving motorcycle crashes, 22 percent of them took place in the first 30 days after an insurance policy was in effect.
Strangely, states with required training programs for riders under 21 years of age actually show higher rates of accidents. There is a basic rider course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in 48 states. But apparently only 45 percent of riders have actually taken the course.
Part of the problem may be the motorcycling is fun and can get in the way of safety. Says one rider, "Even though a motorcycle is not a toy, it still brings out the child in me."
Source: The Republic, "Motorcycle crash risk drops sharply after the first month on the road," Michael Virtanen, April 15, 2012
]]>Some states ban talking on a cellphone while driving, and yet more ban texting. Now, one city in another state is banning cellphone use while driving completely, including hands-free devices. The ban is the first of its kind in the country. Could cities in Florida be next?
]]> The town made an addition to the code that specifically bans drivers 18 and older from using a cellphone or "related technology" while driving. (Those under 18 are already banned from doing so.) Restricted areas mentioned include public streets and "vehicular areas," according to PCMag.com. The ban includes not only cellphones, but digital devices that can access digital media.Safety advocates cheered the movie, as did the president of the National Safety Council, who says the move should help make the roads safer.
Using a cellphone would be considered a secondary offense, meaning that a driver can't be pulled over just for using a cellphone. They would have to be flagged for another violation, such as speeding, first.
In addition, there are numerous exceptions to the ban. It's apparently fine if drivers call someone as long as it's a parent, child, legal guardian or spouse. They can also use phones in emergency situations. They can even call to make a doctor's appointment if they can show who they were calling.
Source: PCMag.com, "Chapel Hill enacts total cellphone ban on drivers," Mark Hachman, March 29, 2012
]]>The idea is to prevent even more car accidents. Now the government is investing in research regarding whether similar technology could practically be used in all vehicles -- not just those of convicted drunk drivers.
]]> The government has reportedly already invested about $10 million into research, with another $24 million that could be added thanks to a federal transportation bill. There are two versions of the technology that are being looked at.One is called distant spectrometry, which would involve installed sensors in the car that could essentially "sniff" a driver's breath to detect alcohol. The other is called tissue spectrometry. That system would use lasers and a touchpad to detect alcohol in a person's blood.
There are potential problems with the systems, though. What if the technology fails and someone is not able to start their car? According to the LA Times, even if it worked 99.99966 percent of the time, that would leave 4,000 people in this country stranded every day.
The restaurant industry, too, is likely to hit back if the technology makes its way into every car. They argue that the technology would flag people who aren't legally drunk, and thus would divert them from ordering alcoholic beverages at dinner.
What do you think? If the technology can be streamlined, would you support it?
Source: LA Times, "Should future cars curb drunk drivers?" Dan Turner, March 28, 2012
]]>A car accident earlier this month saw a vehicle smash into the front porch area of a duplex building in order to avoid collision with another car that had just ignored a red light. The incident occurred in the East Hill area of Pensacola.
]]> As the 18-year-old motorist operating a golden Volvo S60 east on Cervantes Street came close to the intersection of 17th Avenue, he reportedly saw another vehicle approaching, going west on Cervantes. The second car was situated in the left turning lane, apparently planning to make a turn in a southern direction onto 17th Avenue. Because that car allegedly went right through a red light, the driver of the Volvo was forced to swerve out of the way.When he did so, he crashed right onto a home's front porch. The damaged building was at the intersection in its southeastern corner. A 21-year-old passenger in the Volvo claimed that the other driver did not stop at the scene of the accident, instead driving away. She said that he was at fault for the accident. Aside from experiencing a nosebleed because of the activation of an airbag, no one in the Volvo was seriously injured.
Police were not able to locate the other motorist. The other car was described as a sports car, an older model and steel colored. While the make and model were not definitely established, it is believed that it could have been a Corvette.
Source: Pensacola News Journal, "Red light runner forces other car into duplex," Lindsay Ruebens, April 8, 2012
]]>The 42-year-old man is facing DUI manslaughter charges following an arrest at his home by Panama City Police recently. The arrest stemmed from a February accident which allegedly caused the wrongful death of a 27-year-old resident of Panama City Beach.
]]> Investigators asserted that the charged driver's blood alcohol content at the time of the fatal accident registered at .22, which is well above the legal limit of .08. Police also stated that the man had previously been charged with another DUI, possibly in another state.If convicted of the DUI charge, which is a second degree felony, the man could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Investigators say that the motorist was operating his van east on the Hathaway Bridge at approximately 12:30 a.m. on the date of the accident. When his van swerved to the left, it hit several lighted traffic barrels in a nearby construction zone, according to the Panama City News Herald.
His van then veered into the westbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision on the bridge with the other driver's Eclipse. The force of the impact caused injuries so severe that the other driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver facing DUI charges himself suffered injuries in the crash, which required him to be taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and released.
Source: Panama City News Herald, "Man charged with DUI manslaughter," Jessica McCarthy, March 31, 2012
]]>An elderly woman's left turn into oncoming traffic reportedly caused a serious accident that led to a motorcyclist's death in another part of the state on Monday. The motorcycle accident happened on Baseline Road near the entrance to the Disabled American Veterans chapter, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
]]> The crash happened when an 85-year-old woman driving a 2002 Buick Regal was headed north and attempted to turn left into the DAV. At the same time, two motorcyclists were southbound on the road. The Buick apparently turned into their path, colliding with one of them.That motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown into the northbound lane, where he was struck by a Chrysler Town and Country. According to Ocala.com, that driver had no time to react and was unable to avoid striking the motorcyclist.
The other motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, struck debris from the collision, laid down his motorcycle and skidded about 550 feet. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital, as was the driver of the Buick.
Another vehicle, a Cadillac DeVille, was also involved in the accident. The car was apparently struck by debris from the first crash.
The accident serves as a reminder of how important it is to pay attention to the road and to watch out for motorcyclists.
Source: Ocala.com, "Ocala motorcyclist, 21, killed in crash on Baseline Road," Carlos E. Medina, April 9, 2012
]]>Unfortunately, that's not how everyone thinks. A motorist who caused a bicyclist's wrongful death over the weekend did stop after the accident -- but only to fiddle with the vehicle's bumper. The driver apparently did not stop to render aid to the victim, instead fleeing the scene at a high speed, according to witnesses.
]]> The accident happened on U.S. 98 in Okaloosa Island early on Sunday morning. According to Northwest Florida Daily News, the driver and bicyclist were both headed west on the road when the motorist hit the bicyclist from behind.The bicyclist, a 63-year-old man from Destin, was then thrown onto the shoulder, where he sustained fatal injuries. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Witnesses say the driver was in a green van. He or she apparently stopped at the scene briefly, but only to pull the bumper off the vehicle. The driver then took off at a high rate of speed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Debris from the vehicle was found at the scene, and authorities believe the vehicle was a Chrysler.
The accident happened around sunrise. The bicyclist was not wearing dark clothing; in fact, witnesses told Northwest Florida Daily News that he wore bright-colored shorts and a blue shirt.
Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, "Cyclist dead, driver flees after Okaloosa Island hit and run," Justin Heinze, April 8, 2012
]]>More than any other single factor, the use of cellphones, smartphones, and other devices capable of sending and receiving text messages distract a teen driver's attention away from watching the road. Obviously, this is not altogether surprising.
]]> The study utilized almost 25,000 short video films of teen drivers. Of the approximately 7,500 video excerpts selected for examination, the majority of teens were 16 years old, but some were 17 and 18 years old.According to the Huffington Post, researchers found that nearly 7 percent of all video footage examined displayed teen motorists using electronic devices while behind the wheel. This included text messaging and sending or receiving text messages. Electronic devices were not the sole culprit distracting teen drivers, however. Other common distractions while driving include drinking, eating, reading, and even turning around while in the driver's seat to speak to passengers, leading them to take their eyes off the road.
As it turns out, age is a factor. As teen drivers grow older and become more experienced at driving, they apparently double their rate of use of electronic devices over what younger teenage drivers engage in.
For some reason, boys were far more likely than female drivers to engage in the risky behavior of turning around while driving, according to researchers. Female drivers, however, are twice as likely to use phones for talking or texting while driving.
The study clearly identifies some problems. Now the question is, "what do we do about them?"
Source: Huffington Post, "Distracted driving: Electronics are number-one cause of distraction for teen drivers," Marissa Piazzola, March 26, 2012
]]>Four people were riding in a vehicle on Interstate 97 in Molino over the weekend. The driver of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala, a 56-year-old man from out of state, was reportedly smoking a cigarette at the time. He apparently dropped it inside the car. As he leaned down to get it, the car veered onto the shoulder.
]]> The car then hit a tree, causing one of the front tires to tear off the vehicle. The Impala then hit a second tree, causing the other front tire to come off. In addition, the driver's side door was ripped off the car entirely.Photos posted to North Escambia's website show heavy damage to the front and driver's side of the vehicle, with deployed airbags. The extent of the driver and passengers' injuries was not known, although all of them were taken by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Several departments, including the Escambia County EMS, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County sheriff's office, responded to the accident, which apparently shut down the road for about a half-hour.
Accidents like this one show that taking your eyes off the roadway, even for a brief moment, can cause a serious crash. Please drive safely.
Source: North Escambia, "Four injured in Hwy 97 crash caused by cigarette," April 1, 2012
]]>Ten people died in motorcycle accidents during Daytona's Bike Week 2012 in separate incidents. That adds up to almost one death per day during the event, which ended March 18 and represents an increase over the six reported motorcycle crash deaths occurring during Bike Week in 2011. In calculating these figures, law enforcement officers included any death from a motorcycle accident occurring in Central Florida during the Bike Week festivities.
]]> Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts were drawn to the area for the annual event, either as participants or spectators. In addition to deaths, there were a number of injuries. Florida law enforcement authorities reported investigating 17 motorcycle crashes on March 17 alone.According to WFTV, alcohol played a role in one of the fatal accidents. A 77-year-old motorist was allegedly drunk when she plowed into a 64-year-old man's bike, killing him. The crash took place on Ocean Side Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The woman was charged with DUI manslaughter for the incident.
In another accident, a 55-year-old motorcyclist died on County Road 305 in Seville as a result of being unable to maintain control of his bike. Investigators are looking into the causes of that accident. One biker commented that more accidents tended to happen at night, when things tended to "get rowdy," as opposed to during the day, when fewer problems were experienced.
Source: WFTV, "Motorcycle crashes rise during Daytona Bike Week," March 18, 2012
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