The mother of Kate Kohlier is suing the man accused of fatally striking her during a pedestrian accident for Florida wrongful death. Kohlier and Doug Kozar were walking across the Harbour Island bridge early on October 30 when they were hit by a car driven by Matthew R. Moye. Both Kohlier, 24, and Kozar, 23, died from their injuries. Another pedestrian, 47-year-old Joao Armando Fonseca Barbosa, broke his ankle has a struggled to get out of the speeding vehicle’s way. All three of them were walking to their cars after finishing their shifts at a local hotel when the tragic accident happened.
Moye, who is a 34-year-old Florida dentist, has been charged with two counts of driving under the influence manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, and one count of DUI with injury. Moye may have been operating his vehicle at speeds of up to 90 mph.
Florida Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are at a huge disadvantage in a Florida traffic crash. They have absolutely nothing to protect them from the impact of getting hit by a car, truck, motorcycle, or bus. Often, the injuries are catastrophic and can include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal injuries, and even death.
While pedestrians must exercise caution when crossing the street, motorists must also be careful not to strike them. This includes refraining from careless or reckless behavior, such as speeding, driving while drunk, distracted driving, drowsy driving, or any other type of irresponsible driving behavior.
Steps that motorists can take to avoid causing a Florida pedestrian accident:
• Don’t speed
• Slow down when there are pedestrians
• Yield the right of way to pedestrians that are crossing the road
• Obey traffic signs and laws
• Pay attention
• Don’t drive when exhausted or sleepy
• Don’t drive while under heavy medication
• Don’t talk on the cell or text message
• Exercise caution when driving in residential areas or near schools
• Don’t drive when drunk
Estate sues dentist charged in Harbour Island bridge deaths, TBO.com, November 10, 2010
Mom of woman killed in Harbour Island bridge crash to sue drunken driving suspect, Tampa Bay, November 11, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Florida: Deadliest State for Walkers and Cyclists, USA Today, March 1, 2010
Pedestrian Safety, NHTSA
Florida Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide (PDF)