Man Charged Over a Year Later For Fatal Florida Crash

Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state as it pertains to auto insurance liability. What this means is that every driver in Florida is required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that they must turn to in case of personal injury in an accident. There are exceptions to this law; such as when the accident causes permanent injury, scarring or disfigurement, or death. In cases where the injuries cause serious or permanent impairment or death, those affected may be able to bring a claim for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering against the “at-fault” driver. Another exception is where the medical bills related to an accident total more than the $10,000 covered by PIP insurance.

The Tampa Bay Times reports on a man charged with driving while on methamphetamines in a 2018 crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old Florida girl.

55-year-old Roy Wayne Rimmer was arrested on February 22nd in connection with the accident that happened nine months earlier.

Authorities say that Rimmer was high on methamphetamine when he ran a red light and crashed into the driver’s side of 17-year-old Lillia Norris’ SUV. The crash, which took place in April, also injured Rimmer. He was taken to the hospital where blood was drawn to determine if Rimmer was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Authorities say that the arrest took so long because they had to await the results of the toxicology report and closing the case was left up to the trooper who was investigating the crash.

Rimmer was arrested and is being held in Pasco County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $100,500 bail. He is facing charges of vehicular homicide, DUI accident involving death, and DUI involving property damage.