98-Year-Old Killed in Palm Springs DUI Crash

A man was arrested on July 10 on suspicion of DUI manslaughter after a drunken collision left a 98-year-old man dead in May, Palm Beach police say.

V. Pineda, 20, of West Palm Beach, faces felony charges stemming from a four-vehicle crash that he allegedly caused in May.

The fatal crash occurred on May 3 at around 10:15 a.m. in the 2900 block of South Congress Avenue after Pineda drove a 2001 Mitsubishi into a Honda that was stopped at a red light.

According to the police, the crash involved four vehicles and resulted in more than $10,000 in property damage.

N. Reitti, 98, of Lake Worth was a passenger in the Honda that Pineda slammed into. Reitti was transported to a local hospital after the crash – he succumbed to his injuries and died days later, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Pineda was driving with an expired tag on his vehicle, he didn’t have personal injury protection insurance, and according to the report, there was a “heavy odor” of alcohol on his breath.

In the report, an officer wrote that at first Pineda cried and felt sorry for the injured passenger, but then he started laughing.

Pineda’s blood alcohol concentration was .184 and .183, according to police – more than twice the legal limit.

Pineda was initially charged with DUI with injury, however, that charge was dropped last week. The authorities rebooked him into Palm Beach County Jail on Friday on a DUI vehicular manslaughter charge; he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

He was still in jail on late Tuesday, the Sun Sentinel reported.

What are the penalties for DUI manslaughter?

DUI manslaughter in Florida is a very serious offense, which involves mandatory minimum sentencing. If Pineda is convicted, he faces from 4 to 15 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, possible victim restitution, and a non-expungable felony on his record.

Are you facing DUI charges in Miami? Regardless of the circumstances in your case, choosing the right Miami DUI lawyer to defend you can make all the difference. You cannot take chances with your future – contact my firm today!

Over Fourth of July, Water Cops Cracked Down on Boaters

On the Fourth of July one year ago, a three-boat crash on the waters of Biscayne Bay claimed the lives of four people, turning a post-fireworks celebration into a deadly mess.

In response to the crash, authorities called for additional patrols and the establishing of new limits for boaters on popular holidays, such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

For this year’s Fourth of July holiday, water cops were cracking down on boaters. Some of their new enforcement efforts included how boats had to be tied together, temporary low-speed zones, and of course, a zero tolerance for boating under the influence.

The marine police and the Coast Guard wanted to prevent another tragedy from occurring during one of the most popular holidays for recreational boating. During the Fourth of July, it is common to see hundreds of boaters, swimmers, smaller craft and plenty of beer in Biscayne Bay.

Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles Press told the Miami Herald that they know that people like to party, and that the Fourth of July is a big day in America. He said that they want to ensure that good people who want to enjoy the day go home safe to their families.

In 2014, Miami-Dade County had the most boating accidents in the state. According to the 2014 Boating Accidents and Statistical Report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 79 boating accidents in Miami-Dade last year.

Those accidents killed 10 people and injured 47, leading to $2.2 million in property damage. The deadliest crash was last Fourth of July, the Miami Herald reports.

Penalties for Boating Under the Influence

Much like drunk driving accidents, one of the leading causes of boating accidents is boating under the influence of alcohol. In Florida, you can be arrested for boating under the influence (BUI) if you’re caught operating a boat after drinking alcohol.

The penalties for BUI vary depending on the circumstances of the case and whether you have prior BUI convictions. A first conviction for BUI without aggravating factors such as bodily injuries or death is punishable by up to $500 in fines, and up to 6 months in jail. Subsequent BUI convictions incur enhanced penalties.

If you are facing BUI charges, it is imperative that you speak with a qualified Miami BUI attorney. Contact my firm to discuss your legal defenses in a free case evaluation!