Police in Polk County have announced the arrest of a Winter Haven man accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run accident on Saturday while under the influence of a controlled substance.
John Nicholas Obrien, 31, was charged with DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He is being held without bond at Polk County Jail. The press did not name an attorney for him.
According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. April 25 on State Road 540, north of Eagle Lake Road. Obrien was allegedly westbound when his car veered off the road and struck a man riding a scooter on the sidewalk. He then purportedly fled the scene. Witnesses alerted a passing Florida Highway Patrol trooper, who managed to catch up with Obrien a short distance from the crash site.
The person on the scooter, identified as 60-year-old Mathew Bankston Jr. of Mulberry, was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Obrien was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries before he was booked into Polk County Jail. A drug recognition expert at the sheriff’s office determined that he was under the influence of a controlled substance, the affidavit indicates.
When asked by investigators what caused the crash, Obrien initially said he popped a tire and lost control of his vehicle. He then said he hit a pole and lost control of his car, according to the affidavit. Investigators confirmed that his vehicle had a blown out front tire and extensive damage on the front end.
Leaving the scene of an accident—more commonly known as a “hit and run”—is a serious offense in Florida. Statistics indicate that approximately 11 percent of all accidents in the U.S. involve a hit-and-run driver.
Many drivers leave the scene because they are afraid of being arrested, under the influence, or driving without a license. Drivers who flee for whatever reason are required to report the accident to the nearest police station, and provide their name, address, driver’s license, and registration information.
DUI manslaughter is an equally serious offense in the state. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a DUI manslaughter charge may be prosecuted as a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, or a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It is usually treated as a second degree felony by default, but it can be enhanced to a first degree felony if evidence proves the defendant was aware an accident occurred and didn’t render aid.
Given that DUI manslaughter almost always includes at least one grieving family, it is imperative for anyone facing this charge to hire an experienced defense attorney who can launch an aggressive but tasteful defense that won’t create additional liability for the defendant.
South Florida DUI Attorney
Have you been arrested for DUI manslaughter? Contact Brian Silber, P.A. to set up a free initial consultation with one of South Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.
Source: 4.29.20 Polk man arrested on hit-and-run, DUI charges in death of man on scooter.pdf