Police investigate fatal Florida crash

Officers with the Florida Highway Patrol say they are still conducting an investigation into a November crash that left a 76-year-old woman dead. The serious car accident reportedly occurred shortly after the victim left her boyfriend's house to walk her dog. After traveling about 700 feet from the home, investigators believe she was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Police allege that the vehicle was driven by the wife of a member of the county school board.

Police were informed of the accident when another driver called 911 to report a body on the side of the road. He told dispatchers that the victim appeared to have "passed out on the street," adding that she was bleeding from the mouth. The driver told police that he encountered another woman standing by the victim, but the woman informed him that she had not called 911.

The accident was originally believed to be entirely medical in nature, and the local sheriff's office reportedly waited about six hours before sending deputies to the crash site. A representative with the office explained they were not aware a car accident was involved. The office does not have enough deputies to respond to every medical call.

As the accident is still being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol, the attorney for the victim's family has raised several questions that he hopes police will soon be able to answer. His primary concern is determining how long the victim lied there before 911 was called.

Police have yet to file any charges, but the victim's family deserves answers. If charges are eventually filed against the 55-year-old woman driver, a conviction could help strengthen a personal injury case seeking monetary damages.

Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal, "Investigation continues into traffic death of Palm Coast woman, 76," Frank Fernandez, Jan. 4, 2011