We all know that leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Miami Dade, FL and the crime itself carries some serious consequences when committed. Unfortunately, there are many drivers who do cause accidents and then make an attempt to run away, hoping that by doing so, it will be wiped away as though it never occurred. While this is a false perception of what really happens when you engage in a hit and run accident, there was a recent collision in Miami involving bystanders who simply weren’t going to allow one driver to get away from an accident had caused.
Here’s what we know about the accident that occurred on Biscayne Boulevard.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, the driver of a silver Infiniti SUV was heading north on Biscayne Boulevard when he crossed the median into oncoming traffic and hit three vehicles. The front grille of the vehicle nearly fell off but was dragging as the driver attempted to maneuver the vehicle away from the scene of the accident in an attempt to flee. But, those who witnessed it immediately got involved as they weren’t about to let this happen without putting up a fight. In video footage that was released, you can see the driver of the Infinite attempting to turn his vehicle around but was confronted by witnesses who came up to his windows and doors demanding that he stop the vehicle. The driver, who remained persistent, continued to try and get away.
Moments later, the Infinite driver finds an opening but is then blocked by another SUV. You can then see a van stop on the opposite side of the road and out of it comes a man with a sledgehammer. The man began taking the sledgehammer to the SUV and shattered at least one of the windows on the driver’s side of the vehicle. As the motorist continued to move his vehicle in hopes of getting away, the man with the sledgehammer continued to strike the vehicle, hitting it several times before he finally finds a clearing and drives off.
Miami police caught up with the driver who was identified as 25-year-old Maxwell Lagutenko and was said to have been driving while under the influence of narcotics. He was booked into jail on charges of reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and fleeing or eluding police.
If Lagutenko is convicted of the charges that have been pinned against him, it will only make it easier for the those who he hit to file a claim against him, or at least his insurance company in an effort to recover compensation for the damage he caused. Although there were no serious injuries reported, one victim was seen on a stretcher as EMT’s were preparing to transport them to a local hospital, and that person may be able to file a personal injury claim against the driver.
Unlike some hit and run accidents that are left with missing pieces, thankfully, with the help of the witnesses and other bystanders, the officers were able to identify the individual who caused the accident.
If you were involved in a hit and run accident recently in Miami Dade and are having trouble identifying who caused the collision, contact USAttorneys.com now. We will connect you with some of the top accident lawyers in Miami Dade who can assist with your case and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Source:
Miami Dade Accident Lawyers Highlight Why You Should Never Attempt to Flee the Scene of an Accident
