Under Florida law, there are two ways that a person can be charged if the police or prosecutors believe that they were driving in a manner that put other people’s lives, health, or property in danger. The first charge is simply a traffic violation. It is a citation for careless driving. Being found guilty of a careless driving violation will result in a set fine and a certain number of points being assessed to your driver’s license. The second charge is a charge of reckless driving, which is a criminal charge rather than a traffic violation. Since it is a criminal charge, the penalties are much stiffer and can include jail time.
The Taunton Gazette reports that the driver involved in a horrific crash near Disney World has been cited for careless driving.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a truck that rear-ended a minivan carrying a family near Disney World has been cited. The accident killed four people.
The accident occurred on February 18th when the Smith family was on State Road 429 near Celebration, Florida. The truck rear-ended the minivan, causing the van to overturn.
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident: 41-year-old Julie Smith, 76-year-old Josephine Fay, and a 5-year-old girl. An 11-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital.
26-year-old Lucas Dos Reis Laurindo was behind the wheel of the truck. He was issued a citation for careless driving, which is the highest charge that could be made against him after an investigation.