St. Augustine, Florida - 2 Pedestrians Severely Injured After Being Struck by Suspected Drunk Driver Justin Lee Edwards

Driver Arrested After Seriously Injuring 2 Pedestrians near Tolomato Cemetery

Two pedestrians were seriously injured after a suspected drunk driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into them on a sidewalk outside of Tolomato Cemetery on Tuesday night. The truck also plowed through a wall of the historic cemetery.

According to St. Augustine police, 29-year-old Justin Lee Edwards was drunk when he crashed his truck into the pedestrians and cemetery wall. He has been charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI causing property damage, and reckless driving.

Edwards was pulling out of the Tolomato Cemetery parking lot and lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a tire burnout. His truck veered into a man and woman on the sidewalk outside of the cemetery and pushed them through the concrete wall and fencing surrounding the cemetery.

The woman suffered two broken legs and other injuries. She was flown to Orange Park Medical Center for treatment. The man was given stitches for a leg wound at Flagler Hospital before being flown to OPMC for treatment of a neck injury.

According to the police, the damage done to the cemetery is estimated to be around $10,000.

Legal Options for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Florida

Attorney contributor Michael Haggard helps drunk driving accident victims and their families recover the financial compensation they deserve in civil lawsuits. We've asked him to share some input regarding the legal options available to these victims and families in Florida:

In every state, people who are injured by drunk drivers have the right to seek financial compensation. Florida and many other states allow these victims to file lawsuits against the business who provided the drunk driver with alcohol prior to the crash - depending on specific circumstances of the crash. These types of lawsuits are called "dram shop" claims.

According to Florida dram shop laws, an alcohol vendor can be sued for injuries suffered in a DUI accident caused by someone else if:

• The vendor knowingly provides alcohol to someone under age 21, or
• someone who is known to be "habitually addicted" to alcohol.

If either of these cases applies in a drunk driving accident, the victims and their families may have the right to file a lawsuit against both the drunk driver and the business that provided them with the alcohol.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident with a drunk driver? We want to help you recover the full financial compensation you need and deserve. If you'd like to learn more about your family's legal options, contact one of our experienced DUI victims attorneys for a free consultation.