Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of car crashes are just accidents. However, sometimes accidents are caused deliberately by a driver who is being reckless. Sometimes, these accidents are caused by a driver wishing to end their own lives. Other times, the crash is caused by a driver seeking retribution for a perceived offense.
In circumstances where the driver may have intentionally caused an accident, there may be a need for additional damages. In cases like this, the driver may not only be responsible for the normal damages suffered by the victims, but they may also be ordered to pay punitive damages, which are damages that are given as an attempt to defer future instances.
The Independent reports that a man intentionally drove into a Florida church and then set fire to it with parishioners inside.
Steven Shields was arrested on Saturday after intentionally crashing his vehicle into a Catholic church.
According to investigators, Shields allegedly intentionally drove his vehicle through the doors of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 7:30 a.m. The congregation was preparing for mass at the time of the accident.
Shields then exited the vehicle, poured gasoline in the foyer, set it on fire, and fled the scene.
A deputy spotted Shields’ vehicle and initiated a pursuit.
No one was injured at the church and the fire was extinguished by the fire department.
Shield is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, arson of a structure that was occupied, burglary of an occupied structure using a motor vehicle, and felony fleeing.
He is being held in the Marion County Jail without bond. He reportedly told deputies that he was schizophrenic and off his medication and on a mission.
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