Fort Myers, Florida - 4 Injured, Man Charged with DUI and Hit-and-Run In Crash On Michael G. Rippe Parkway

1 Critically Injured, 3 Seriously in 3-Vehicle Hit-and-Run Crash

Three people were injured - one critically and three seriously - in a suspected DUI hit-and-run crash on the Michael G. Rippe Parkway early Saturday morning. 28-year-old Kennedy Lamour was charged with DUI and hit-and-run charges for allegedly causing the crash.

According to Florida State Troopers, Lamour was driving north on the Parkway, north of the intersection with Briarcliff Road at around 1 a.m. when he crashed into the back of a 2016 Kia Soul being driven by 51-year-old Isam Omar Elwadi. This initial collision caused Elwadi to lose control of his vehicle and drift over the media, eventually striking a 2017 Honda Civic.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Lamour continued driving before he stopped at the Race Trac gas station, located at the intersection of the Michael G. Rippe Parkway and Six Mile Cypress Parkway.

Elwadi, the 23-year-old female driver of the Civic, and her passenger, 28-year-old Drayton Harold, were all brought to Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Another Civic passenger, 49-year-old Melodi Oliveri was brought to the same hospital in critical condition.

Lamour has been charged with DUI, DUI with property damage, DUI causing serious injury, and hit-and-run causing serious injury. He was booked at Lee County Jail.

Financial Compensation for People Injured by Drunk Drivers in Florida

Attorney contributor Michael Haggard represents people who have been injured by drunk drivers, helping them recover the financial compensation they deserve. We've asked Michael to share some insight regarding the legal options these people have in Florida:

If you were injured in an alcohol-related accident caused by someone else in Florida, you may have two different options for seeking financial compensation. Like in all other states, Florida residents can file personal injury lawsuits against the drunk driver who injured them. Additionally, Florida is one of several states that allow alcohol vendors to be held liable for serving customers who cause alcohol-related injuries, according to certain conditions. This second type of lawsuit is known as a "dram shop" claim.

According to Florida's dram shop laws, alcohol vendors can be held liable for injuries caused by their customers if the vendor "willfully and unlawfully" serves alcohol to someone under the age of 21 or "knowingly" provides alcohol to someone who is "habitually addicted" to alcohol.

If you or someone you love is suffering from serious injuries after being hit by a drunk driver in Florida, you can learn more about your legal options by speaking to an experienced drunk driving accident victims lawyer.