Man Tries to Steal Medical Helicopter After Causing Serious Crash in Tampa
On June 20th, WTSP reported that a man had tried to steal a medical helicopter after causing a serious crash in the Tampa Bay Area. The incident highlights the irrational behavior that has become so common on our roads. If you were injured by a similarly reckless and negligent driver, consider contacting an experienced injury attorney to discuss your legal options.
Man and Woman “Seriously Injured” by Reckless Pickup Truck Driver
The incident began when a man driving a pickup truck on I-75 lost control of his vehicle. He then veered into a sedan, striking it before careening into the woods and flipping over. A man and a woman inside the sedan suffered serious injuries, while the pickup truck driver emerged relatively unharmed.
When first responders arrived, they immediately concluded that the two injured victims needed medical air evacuation. As a result, they called in an air ambulance. When the helicopter arrived, however, the pickup truck driver sprinted past the first responders and attempted to steal the helicopter. It is not clear how close the individual in question was to actually taking off, but reports indicate that this effort was ultimately unsuccessful.
The man’s reckless and negligent nature became even clearer during subsequent police interactions. He claimed that he witnessed an appearance of the antichrist before crashing his truck and resisted arrest multiple times. Officials also witnessed the man pacing back and forth while totally unresponsive to questions.
How Successful Is the Criminal Justice System in Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable?
This specific individual faces charges of burglarizing an occupied conveyance and resisting arrest. But will these charges actually hold the man accountable and bring a sense of justice to the victims? How quickly will this man get out on bail and return to the highways?
The truth is that the criminal justice system isn’t always successful. A person of such mental instability could easily plead insanity, potentially avoiding the most serious types of incarceration or even avoiding convictions altogether. In addition, the criminal courts follow a “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard of proof. This is a high threshold, and criminal defense attorneys only need to sow a small amount of uncertainty in the jury to help their clients walk free.
In contrast, a personal injury claim through the civil courts is capable of ensuring very real financial consequences for negligent drivers. The burden of proof is significantly lower, and a driver may be forced to stop driving once their insurance premiums get too high.
Can a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A Tampa auto accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Reckless individuals who cause crashes and attempt to steal vehicles are running rampant on our roads, and the criminal justice system is failing to hold them accountable. Victims may experience greater levels of justice and accountability by going through the civil courts. Contact Anderson & Anderson at 813-251-0072 to learn more.
Sources:
fox13news.com/news/florida-man-tries-steal-medical-helicopter-waiting-transport-patients-after-i-75-crash-fhp
wtsp.com/article/news/local/hernandocounty/man-tried-to-steal-medical-helicopter-crash-hernando-county/67-ba210e73-3792-4088-a1f7-604c2cbbdce1
