Personal Injury

Published on: March 26, 2013

Deadly Collision in West Palm Beach Caused by Excessive Speed

James T. McLendon, a seventeen-year-old suburban West Palm Beach resident, died early Monday evening as a result of a car accident caused by speeding. McLendon was driving at an excessive speed east on Belvedere Road sometime after 4 p.m. Monday when he swerved to avoid hitting one car and then collided with a truck travelling west. The accident occurred at the intersection of Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way.

Wellington resident Cathy Manriquez, sixty, was making a right turn from Sansbury’s Way onto eastbound Belvedere Road when McLendon was approaching the intersection in his 2002 Mazda 626. Manriquez turned onto the inside lane. McLendon saw Manriquez, but was travelling at too high of a speed to stop, so he swerved to try and avoid hitting Manriquez’s 2002 Toyota Camry. This swerving caused McLendon’s automobile to travel across the median and into oncoming traffic.

Royal Palm Beach resident Bobby Moore, fifty-seven, was entering the left turn lane in his 1996 Kenworth commercial truck as McLendon drove over the median. Moore and McLendon collided. McLendon was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, Natalie Pastorius, seventeen, had to be cut from the vehicle. She was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in serious condition. Manriquez was transported to Wellington Regional Medical Center, but has since been released. Moore suffered no injuries in the accident. A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office traffic report stated that all drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts. Alcohol or drug use is not suspected in the crash.

Authorities: 17-year-old killed after speeding, causing collision with truck on Belvedere Road, www.palmbeachpost.com March 26, 2013

Published on: March 22, 2013

Florida Keys U.S. 1 Site of Many Serious Injury and Fatal Crashes

by Friedland | Carmona

U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys has recently become the site of a number of fatal and serious injury accidents. Since March 1, more than a half dozen serious accidents have been reported from the 18-Mile Stretch that connects the Keys to the mainland down through Key Largo. These crashes have involved individuals from both South Florida and from as far away as Colorado.

On Tuesday morning, just after 7:00 a.m., sixty-seven-year-old James Hightower of Islamorada was driving northbound on U.S. 1’s inside lane in his 2004 Ford F-150. The Florida Highway Patrol stated that, for reasons yet to be determined, Hightower drove off the road at mile marker 99 and struck a traffic sign, bushes, and then crashed into a former KFC restaurant. Hightower was transported to Mariners Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hightower became the seventh traffic fatality in the Keys this year.

Hightower’s crash occurred less than twelve hours after another crash near the same location. That crash ultimately led to the closing of the 18-Mile Stretch and the arrest of Lenna Danker, fifty-seven, of Homestead. Danker was involved in a hit-and-run at mile marker 99 Monday evening around 7:00 p.m. Apparently, Danker struck a 2013 Chrysler 300 with her 2012 Nissan Rogue SUV. Troopers say that fifteen minutes later, Danker made her way to mile marker 111 where she collided with the east concrete barrier wall. Her vehicle then overturned three times in a northerly direction. Danker was transported to Mariners Hospital and the stretch remained closed for about two hours.

Florida keys highway sees fresh spate of crashes, death, destruction, www.miamiherald.com March 21, 2013

Published on: March 19, 2013

Teenager in Hospital with Life-Threatening Injuries After Car Crash in Port St. Lucie

by Friedland | Carmona

A young suburban Lake Worth woman is in a local hospital fighting life-threatening injuries after a car wreck in Port St. Lucie early yesterday morning. Cathryn M. Stalnaker, nineteen, was driving in a 2005 red Saturn around 6:30 a.m. Monday morning, heading north on Southeast Seafury Lane. Stalnaker attempted to make a left in order to head west on Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard when she was T-boned by another vehicle.

James Lambert, sixty-two, was the driver of the 2007 blue Chevrolet Tahoe that struck Stalnaker’s vehicle. St. Lucie County Fire Rescue arrived on scene shortly after the accident. Fire Rescue had to cut Stalnaker out of her badly mangled vehicle. Stalnaker was then flown to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The accident caused the closure of two of the three eastbound lanes of Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard just east of Southeast Westmoreland Boulevard.

Lake Worth woman, 19, rushed to hospital after car wreck in Port St. Lucie, www.palmbeachpost.com March 18, 2013

Published on: March 11, 2013

Seven Vehicles Involved in Horrific South Dakota Crash

by Friedland | Carmona

The stories of seven individuals and a family collided violently on a busy South Dakota road on Valentine’s Day. The seven-car crash that occurred at the intersection of 41st street and Minnesota Avenue sent vehicles spinning into traffic and flipping into a parking lot. When all the vehicles finally came to rest one was dead and seven were injured.

Stephen Wolf was just leaving the Dollar Tree with his wife and three children when he drove up to the intersection in his mother’s Dodge Durango. It was just before noon. In front of the Wolf family was Tyler Sorlie, who was on his way to the floral shop to get a bouquet for his wife to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Sorlie was sitting in his Chevy 1500 pickup. In front of Sorlie was Monica Williams, who was driving her taxicab. Not far behind the Wolf family was Clyde Hinrickson in his Ford Ranger. He was headed to the same Dollar Tree that the Wolfs had just left to find out when his wife would be done working. He sat in the left-hand turn lane on Minnesota Avenue. Mike Klinedinst, assistant principal at Lincoln High School, was driving east on 41st Street in his Ford F-150. He was heading back to his office after picking up lunch. Bill Morrill was in his Chevy Venture van next to Klinedinst. Morrill had just left the Ace Hardware store on 41st Street.

Thirty-two-year-old Troy Hohn, an Army veteran, came barreling down Minnesota Avenue in his green Chevy Blazer. As he approached the 41st Avenue intersection he sped past Hinrickson’s truck, causing it to shake. Hohn swerved to avoid hitting Hinrickson, but was unable to avoid contact with the Wolf family in the Durango. Hohn slammed into the Durango so hard that it caused a chain reaction. The Durango slammed forward into Sorlie’s pickup truck, which was forced into Williams’ taxicab. Williams was pushed into the intersection and crashed into Klinedinst’s truck as it crossed the intersection. Klinedinst’s truck then struck Morrill’s van, crumpling its side door and shattering a window. Hinrickson watched as Hohn’s Blazer hopped the curb after hitting the Durango, plowed into a sign at a local store, flipped through the air, and came to rest on top of another vehicle.

Stories converge in fatal South Dakota crash, www.palmbeachpost.com February 28, 2013

Published on: February 26, 2013

Tragic Automobile Accident in Margate, 2 Dead, 6 Injured

by Friedland | Carmona

Late Monday evening two women were killed and six others injured when two vehicles collided in Margate. Margate Police Detective Lori Eller stated that the crash occurred around 9 p.m. on the 2600 block of Rock Island Road at Holiday Springs Boulevard. The two deceased women were in a white Toyota Corolla traveling on Rock Island Road. The driver, who has not yet been identified, was attempting to make a left turn onto Holiday Springs Boulevard.

At the same time, a van was travelling south on Rock Island Road. The Corolla turned left in front of the van, unable to complete the turn before the van slammed into the car. Two of the women in the car were pronounced dead at the scene, while the two other occupants of that vehicle were critically injured. The four individuals in the van also suffered varying injuries. Division Chief Dan Booker stated that all six injured vehicle occupants were freed from the wrecked vehicles by first responders before they were transported to local hospitals. The two deceased remained at the crash scene during the early stages of the investigation. Anyone with any information about the crash is encouraged to contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Erin Young.

Two killed in Margate crash, www.sun-sentinel.com February 26, 2013

Published on: February 12, 2013

Permanently Injured Man Awarded $1.3 Million Against Wal-Mart in Slip-and-Fall Case

by Friedland | Carmona

A jury awarded a Port St. Lucie man nearly $1.3 million last Wednesday in an unusual slip-and-fall case against Wal-Mart. On May 15, 2011, 41-year-old Tom Papakalodoukas was shopping at the Wal-Mart located at 1850 S.W. Gatlin Boulevard in Port St. Lucie. As he walked down an aisle, he stepped on a Gatorade sign that had fallen from a display. Papakalodoukas fell and landed violently on his right arm, which caused the bicep tendon to tear.

In the less than two years since the fall, Papakalodoukas has undergone three major surgeries. One of these surgeries involved the insertion of a cadaver Achilles tendon into his arm, meant to aid in restoring strength. The surgeries, along with other medical visits and procedures, have cost Papakalodoukas over $200,000. As a result of the fall Papakalodoukas has also been left with a lifelong defect called a “popeye deformity,” which creates abnormal bulges on his arm. He also suffers from depression due to anxiety about his future and his health. Papakalodoukas has not been able to return to work since the fall.

Store surveillance cameras showed both the Gatorade sign falling and Papakalodoukas’ fall. Wal-Mart first placed blame on Gatorade because, according to Wal-Mart, Gatorade did not provide appropriate screws for holding the sign in place on the display. Further, Wal-Mart contended that its employees did not have time to pick up the sign in between the time that it fell and the time that Papakalodoukas slipped on it. Papakalodoukas’ attorney presented evidence that if the sign had been properly assembled on the display, there was no chance it could have fallen. The all-female jury deliberated for only four hours. It found Wal-Mart 90% at fault and awarded Papakalodoukas nearly $1.3 million. A spokesperson from Wal-Mart states that the company plans to appeal the decision.

Jury awards Port St. Lucie man $1.3 million in case against Wal-Mart, www.palmbeachpost.com February 8, 2013

Published on: February 4, 2013

8 dead in Southern California After Another Serious Bus Crash

by Friedland | Carmona

After a day of skiing at Big Bear Mountain in Southern California at least eight are dead and more than thirty-five injured. A Scapadas Magicas LLC bus driver lost control of the vehicle when its brakes began to malfunction while driving down State Route 38 near Yucaipa, California. By the time it came to rest, the bus laid sideways blocking both lanes of travel and its front end was crushed.

Thirty-eight people loaded onto the bus in Tijuana, Mexico early Sunday morning to head to Big Bear for a day of skiing. The crash occurred as the bus was headed down the mountain, on its way back to cross the border. The bus driver told investigators that as he descended the mountain, the brakes gave out. The bus rear-ended one car, flipped, and then struck a pickup truck carrying a trailer.

The severity of the crash made it difficult for first responders to determine how many were injured or dead. Michelle Profant, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman stated “[i]t’s really a mess up there with body parts.” Passengers were transported to a number of area hospitals suffering from injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. One of those hospitals, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, stated that it had treated six passengers, two who were discharged Monday morning, two in stable condition, and two who remained in critical condition. This crash came less than a day after a bus in Boston, Massachusetts carrying high school students slammed into an overpass.

8 killed in Calif. bus crash of Mexican day skiers, www.miamiherald.com February 3, 2013

Published on: January 31, 2013

State Senator Seeks to Put an End to Texting and Driving in Florida

by Friedland | Carmona

State Senator Maria Sachs of Delray Beach vows that the Florida legislature will put an end to texting and talking on cellphones while driving. Sachs believes the bill outlawing the use of cellphones while driving will receive support from Democrats and Republicans alike in the upcoming spring session. “I don’t know anybody who could oppose this, to stop the slaughter that’s going on our highways,” Sachs stated.

If you are driving 70 mph down the highway and you send or receive a text, you are likely to spend more than four seconds not giving your full attention to the roadway. This means that you have traveled more than the length of a football field practically blind. Over 100,000 crashes are caused each year nationwide because of cellphone use while driving. In 2011, over 3,000 people died nationally due to this fatal form of distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving causes a 23% increase in the likelihood of a crash.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association is one of the groups that support the bill. Broward Sheriff Scott Israel attended a presentation with Sachs at the Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety in Davie that demonstrated the effects of distracted driving. Sheriff Israel stated that this bill is “relevant, it’s important, and as sure as we’re standing here it’s going to save lives.” The bill would outlaw use of anything but a hands-free device while driving, and a first offense would result in a $100 fine, with higher penalties for additional offenses. Florida is one of just six states remaining that do not have laws banning cellphone use while driving.

Senator seeks to ban texting while driving, www.sun-sentinel.com January 31, 2013

Published on: January 25, 2013

Woman Continues to Suffer Two Months After Devastating Washington Crash

by Friedland | Carmona

A Washington woman continues to suffer from the effects of a devastating car accident that occurred over two months ago. Fifty-one-year-old Terri Cantor was within minutes of arriving at work on the morning of November 15 when Johnothon Bagley, twenty-seven, crossed the center line on a residential road in Lowell, Washington and slammed head-on into Cantor’s vehicle. Cantor stated that she had no time to swerve and avoid the impact with Bagley’s vehicle. Cantor was rushed from the scene of the accident in an ambulance, bleeding heavily. She was taken from one hospital to another and was kept in the intensive care unit for five days.

Cantor suffered extensive physical injuries because of the crash, including two crushed heels, a broken leg, pelvis, and two ribs, and a dislocated thumb. She underwent ten hours of surgery to repair her heels and she has an extensive number of screws and metal drilled into her broken bones. The nerve damage in her feet is extensive, causing sensational feelings of burning and icy coldness. Currently, Cantor is confined to a wheelchair and is unable to work. Her medical bills exceed $350,000.

Bagley was driven to the police station after the accident, as police believed he was under the influence of drugs when he crashed into Cantor. He fell asleep on the way to the police station and he dozed in and out as he was questioned. His eyes were bloodshot and his eyelids were droopy. His speech was slowed and slurred. On the day of the crash, Bagley was awaiting sentencing for driving while under the influence of drugs. In August, three months before the crash, his license was suspended. After the crash, police obtained a search warrant for Bagley’s vehicle and found drug paraphernalia and narcotics. The crash investigation is coming to a close, but Bagley has yet to be charged in the incident.

Pain from crash continues for Everett woman, www.palmbeachpost.com January 24, 2013

Published on: December 13, 2012

Another South Florida Woman Arrested For Administering Toxic Injections

by Friedland | Carmona

In what is becoming an increasing problem in South Florida, a Hialeah woman has been arrested for injecting women with toxic butt enhancements. Known as the “toxic tush” doctor, Samela Hernandez was injecting a “foreign substance” into women in an effort to increase the size and shape of women’s behinds. Most women’s backsides ended up “deformed and sensitive” as a result of the injection.

Hernandez and her husband were arrest for practicing healthcare without a license and for possession of blank prescription forms. Detectives raided the couple’s Hialeah home and found numerous syringes and bottles of Lidocaine, client lists, procedure lists, and “a slew of medical equipment.” At the time of the raid, two victims were in the house. One of the victims, who had been undergoing procedures for months, believed Hernandez was a nurse. The victim told police that after her first injection, she came back to Hernandez so that Hernandez could add “more solution into the void area of her buttocks to ‘fill in’ the gaps between the welts.” Instead, she wound up with a “permanent deformity.”

The substance used has been banned in other countries, including Colombia, because it is believed the cause cancer. Hernandez had the toxin shipped to the United States from Colombia; it was bottled and shipped as “massage wax.”

Police arrest woman in another ‘toxic tush’ case, this time in Hialeah, www.miamiherald.com December 13, 2012